{Party} It’s the season for comfort food

01 Tuesday Jan 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Food, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, Recipes

Tags

Okay, so maybe I wouldn’t throw a party and serve comfort food, or would I? Why not? In any case I’m sharing my favorite winter comfort food recipe with you today. I was motivated to do this, in part, because The Polohouse has made comfort food her “Favorites on the First” topic and since the weather here in the U.S., even in Southern California, is very cool what better time to prepare soul warming, calorie loaded comfort food. Consider it my way of forcing the inevitable must exercise more goal.

I confess, comfort food does just what it’s supposed to do to me when I eat it. I feel satisfied and comfortable, even relaxed. That might be caused by the over- abundance of calories in most of my favorite comfort foods, but either way, we don’t indulge that often and only when the NEED arises.

So, here you go. This is a winner for my family. It’s an Emeril Lagasse recipe, but my dear friend on Bainbridge Island, Linda, tested it out first. (Thank you, Linda) She is the person I give credit to for having tried and loved this recipe. Oh, and I have actually served this to guests at a dinner party. The individual baked pies provide great presentation.

Emeril’s Chicken Pot Pie – {Food TV provides a printable version of this recipe}

In addition to the recipe, I’ve included some comfort inviting rooms for your viewing enjoyment.

and one of my favorites for comfort…

Here’s to a comfortable 2013. May the New Year be filled with peace and love for all of us. Happy New Year!

I’m visiting Savvy Southern Style’s Wow Us Wednesdays, stop by for some great ideas.

{Party} Dining by candlelight

08 Thursday Nov 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Fall Entertaining and Decorations, Food, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, Party Planning, Recipes

≈ 25 Comments

Tags

candlelight, Irish Stew

I’ve always liked using candles in and around my home. I think that the fall/winter months are my favorite time of the year to let candlelight provide the light needed to dine by.

Until the early 20^th century, everyone ate by candlelight, I’m sure they didn’t think of it as anything more than an essential way to see what you were eating. Bright lights became the norm as the introduction of electricity was installed in homes and restaurants everywhere.

{Party Resources ~ Carolyne Roehm}

According to Jan Whitaker of Resturant-ing Through History,

…there were some ultra-refined people who considered the glare of bright light vulgar. Etiquette expert Emily Holt recommended in1902 that candles be used instead of gas or electric chandeliers for home dinner parties lest the dinner resemble a “blazing feast … in some hotel restaurant.”

Candlelight promised the gentility of an elite dinner party, far removed from loud music, noise, and guests who drank too much. Candles suited the tea room perfectly. Not only did they shed flattering light, they discouraged the rowdy, fun-seeking masses from entering the door. Tea room owners, overwhelmingly WASPs, also liked how candles, as well as lanterns and fireplaces, created a quaint atmosphere that they imagined resembled how their Colonial ancestors lived.

I confess, candlelight does seem to make everything look better. Even the faces of guests seem aglow when we dim the electric lights and let candlelight do its magic.

So, in addition to a recipe for my beef stew (below), here are some pretty tables with candlelight as their main source of illumination.

{image source}

*Note, this image captures what my stew looks like when I serve it in these bread rounds, but for some reason, my food photography leaves much to be desired for capturing the delicious goodness on the plate. Thank you for your understanding.

KB’s Irish Stew (serves 6)

INGREDIENTS:

2 pounds Chuck roast, cubed, patted dry

2 tablespoons canola oil

2 tablespoons butter

4 large carrots, scrubbed and sliced

8 large mushrooms, sliced

3 medium potatoes, diced

1 large onion, diced

1 1/2 cup frozen peas

6 cups beef broth+

1/3 cup flour

1/3 cup heavy cream or half and half

1 teaspoon fresh thyme

Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

Cube beef, trim off excess fat. Heat oil and butter in Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Dry beef with paper towels; season with salt and pepper; brown beef in small batches. Once brown on all sides; continue until all beef is browned; set aside.

Lower heat to medium and add onion and carrots, (it may be necessary to add a little more oil) cook about 2-4 minutes (until translucent); add mushrooms and cook until mushrooms have released their juices. Return beef to pan and add broth and cubed potatoes. Reduce heat to keep (medium-low or low heat)* stew simmering; cook for 2 hours, with lid on pan. Check periodically in case more broth is needed.

*This can be cooked in the oven at 325° for 2 – 2 1/2 hours, check periodically to make sure you don’t run out of broth in the stew.

30 minutes before stew is finished, make slurry of flour and whipping cream, add to stew and stir. Check and adjust seasonings.

Serve in a mini-boule that has been hollowed out (retain lid) and dry for a few minutes in the oven or with a loaf of crusty bread and salad.

ƒ ƒ ƒ

Mercury glass candles make everything shimmer and it seems they are very popular this fall.

I like tapers as much as votives and often use a combination when we serve dinner. Do you have a preference when you entertain?

Downton Abbey – isn’t this pretty? I can’t wait for Season 3!

{Inspiring Interiors ~ Christmas in Oslo}

{via}

{Inspiring Interiors}

The above image is one of my favorites, I borrowed it from Kifus over at Inspiring Interiors. If you’ve never visited her site you’re in for a treat. She features homes from all over the world and most are exquisite. {The tray that holds the mercury glass votives and vintage silver candlesticks is so pretty}

{The New Victorian Ruralist}

Isn’t this a clever idea. I’m not sure where you’d find 7 rustic ladles of varying sizes but it’s a very fun image.

{the adventures of tartanscot}

Every Christmas Scot of the adventures of tartanscot shares photographs of his dining room table, complete with little gifts for guests and every year I’m inspired and in awe. His talents in all of the design work he does is always worthwhile.

{Party Resources}

{Shari Curtis Mortensen ~ Pinterest}

{tumblr ~ That Inspirational Girl}

I realize some of the table settings are wedding settings, but you get the idea, right. Besides, we have a wedding coming up (watch for posts pre/post wedding) and candlelight will be a huge part of the ambiance of our (Son #2 & fiance) upcoming celebration.

In light of the stew recipe, maybe I should plan on this (below) form of candlelight…

{tumblr ~ Little White Daisies}

Do you enjoy dining by candlelight?

I’ve joined in the fun at Stone Gable for her Turtorials and Tips party, see you there.

{Party} Some seasonal finds via blog land

16 Tuesday Oct 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Fall Entertaining and Decorations, Food, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, Recipes, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

≈ 14 Comments

Tags

recipes, Table Settings

I believe autumn is at least partly responsible for the extra enthusiasm I experience during this time of year, that or the cooler weather which aids with slumber and allows me to stay more energized. Therefore I feel like cooking more, trying new recipes. Does this happen to you?

~I hope you aren’t sick of my speaking of Autumn and the seasonal traditions and go along with it~

{via}

Blog land is bursting at the seams with great ideas and inspiration for all things fall, but there have been a few recipes that were so tempting I thought I’d share them with you.

If you’re going to eat, you know you’ll have to set the table so I’m including some nice table settings too. [I’m a full-service blogger]

{via Party Resources}

We don’t have maple trees in our area but we do have a tree (Liquid Amber) that gives us a show of color, but the branches are very high and it’s not on our property so you can see my dilemma. I wonder if the branches (above) are real or faux?

Let’s start with this delicious Skinny Spiced Latte Recipe from Yummy Mummy Kitchen. Marina nearly ruined my day when she mentioned that the Spiced Pumpkin Latte you get at most coffee houses was 390 calories! It’s not that I have them that often but I didn’t know this calorie fact, they might as well be considered meal-replacement at 390 calories. I know, I know, just order it with non-fat milk. Ugh, not nearly as tasty. So, maybe you will find this to be a delicious, low calorie replacement…I’m going to try them.

{via Yummy Mummy Kitchen}

Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte :: by Yummy Mummy Kitchen, Marina

Pumpkin Whipped Cream:
makes about 25 (2.5 tablespoon servings)

1/3 cup canned pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
10 ounces TruWhip (available at many grocery stores including Ralphs and Whole Foods)
sprinkles or additional pumpkin pie spice for garnish, optional

Place pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice in the bowl of a mixer. Beat until combined and smooth. My organic canned pumpkin was quite hard and this beating helps it smooth out. Add the whipped topping and beat in just until combined. Transfer to a 11×7 inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Alternatively an 8-inch or 9×13-inch baking dish could be used. Cover with plastic wrap and keep in the freezer until ready to use.

To make lattes:
8 ounces brewed coffee
1/4 cup warmed low-fat milk (or however much milk you like)
Stevia to taste

Add milk to your coffee and sweeten to taste with Stevia or your favorite sweetener. Top with pumpkin whipped topping from the freezer. Sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice or sprinkles, if desired.

Everyday Occasions by Jenny Steffens Hobick had a soul-warming soup recipe that was hard for me to pass up. She has some delicious soup recipes, and for me, this time of year is ideal for soup and crusty bread and maybe a salad.

Chorizo & Vegetable Cream Soup | Fresh Mozzarella, Tomato & Basil Grilled Cheese

1 pound of chorizo sausage
3 carrots, diced
1 cup of mushrooms, sliced
1/2 small white onion, diced
4 cloves of garlic, diced
1 large can of whole peeled tomatoes, hand crushed with juice
4 cups of chicken broth
1/2 cup of cream
4 cups of fresh spinach

fresh mozzarella
tomato, sliced
fresh basil
baguette, sliced
olive oil
1 clove of garlic, whole

Remove the sausage from its casing and break it up into small/medium pieces. Cook it in a sauté pan on a medium/high heat, rendering some of the fat. Add the carrot, mushrooms and onion and cook until soft, approx. 5-7 minutes. Add garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Add the tomatoes by squeezing them in one at a time. Continue to break them into bite size pieces with the spoon. Add the juice from the can of tomatoes.

Add the chicken broth and cream. Add spinach. Simmer for 10-15 minutes.

Slice the baguette, pile with mozzarella, tomato and basil and top with a second piece of bread. In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Cook sandwiches for 3-4 minutes just until they start to brown. Flip and repeat. Rub a raw clove of garlic on the crusty sides of bread.

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I really like the simplicity of the table setting below. The array of interesting colors that pumpkins come in work with almost any decor. I especially like the white baby boo pumpkins.

For our main course, this recipe is from my good friend, Jean. She prepared this dish for a ladies’ luncheon years ago and it continues to be a seasonal favorite. Super easy too. I do not have a photograph of the dish but I promise, it’s really pretty.

Chicken/Wild Rice Casserole

Ingredients

6-8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked
3 cups chicken broth
1 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
¼ cup butter
2 packages Uncle Ben’s White & Wild rice, cooked*
1 cup sour cream
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup
¾ cup Craisins
1 cup cashews

Preparation Instructions

Shred cooked chicken breasts, set aside. Melt butter in skillet and cook mushrooms until most of the liquid is absorbed.

*Cook rice according to package directions [omitting the spice packages] using 2 cups of chicken broth and 1 cup water.

Combine soup, sour cream, cashews and Craisins with chicken and rice. Spread in 9” x 13” baking dish and bake at 350° for 30 minutes, or until hot.

{via Stone Gable}

and finally, for dessert…

A site I’ve only recently discovered is one that is guaranteed to provide constant entertainment…talk of the house is written by Kelly. A wife, mother and school teacher, Kelly lives in Georgia and her posts are always informative and fun. She recently posted her family recipe for Apple Cake. I plan to bake it this weekend but visit HERE for some mouth-watering pictures to entice. {I cannot figure out how to copy a picture from her site so you’ll have to visit, but you won’t regret it}.

Fresh Apple Cake:

3 c. all-purpose flour

1 tsp. soda

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cloves

1 tsp. nutmeg

1 ¼ c. oil

3 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

2 c. sugar

1 c. chopped pecans

3 c. freshly shredded apples

Grease and flour a tube or Bundt cake pan. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Sift together the flour, soda, salt, cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon into a large mixing bowl. In a small bowl whisk the eggs together. Then whisk the oil in with the eggs. Pour the eggs and oil mixture into the sifted flour mix. Beat to mix well. Beat in the sugar and the vanilla. Stir in the apples and the pecans. Pour all into the greased pan, and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Cool only a few minutes, then turn out on your cake stand.

Icing:

½ stick butter

2 Tbsp. milk

½ cup brown sugar

½ tsp. vanilla

Place all ingredients in a medium pot on the stove. Bring to a boil, and boil for 2 minutes. Brush, or pour, on to the warm cake.

Serve with whipped cream.

{via Party Resources}

Those of you who can’t quite give up summer could set the table with a nautical theme and sunflowers. A great blending of a season ending (the nautical) and a season that’s arriving (the fall colors of a sunflower).

{via Hampton Hostess}

Are you cooking more now that the weather has cooled? Share any easy recipes you have tried with me, I’d love to hear from you.

I’m joining the party over at Centsational Girl, seasonal foods, yummy.

{Party} Autumn entertaining ideas and an easy recipe

09 Tuesday Oct 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Dessert, Entertaining, Halloween, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, House and Home, Recipes, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

Apple Tart

I may have mentioned that I like to entertain, and cook. {I guess it wouldn’t be a very fun party if food wasn’t involved} The problem is this, I really, really like simple recipes and preferably recipes that can be made in advance when I entertain.

{Jenny Steffens Hobick}

Fall entertaining is especially fun and I enjoy some of the ideas I have ~~stolen~~ borrowed from very creative people across blog land. Jenny Steffens Hobick is one of my favorite sites for entertaining menus and table settings. She and her family recently moved, and with a baby, her recipes are practical and simple but her presentation is always beautiful and many can be made ahead of time. As you can see from the table setting above, simple but stylish tablescapes are the standard with her. If you’re interested in cooking, visit Jenny.

Another favorite site for delicious and healthy recipes is Marina over at Yummy Mummy Kitchen. Marina makes every dish she serves look appetizing and pretty on the plate, and her recipes are almost always lean towards healthy, although you’d never suspect it by the fabulous flavors each recipe provides. One more creative blog site to visit and borrow from when planning a menu for family and friends. I’ve you’ve never visited Yummy Mummy Kitchen I urge you to have a look.

{Yummy Mummy Kitchen}

Autumn table settings appeal to me partly because you can use natures bounty from the farm, {wish I lived on one}, the surrounding outdoors, or your market. Pomegranates, apples, leaves, acorns, nuts, gourds, mums and the ever-traditional pumpkin can all be arranged in any combination to create a beautiful and festive table.

~ Recipes from Yummy Mummy Kitchen and Jenny Steffens Hobick will be featured in an upcoming post ~

If you are planning a party that requires an invitation there are a variety of papers you can purchase that can be printed on a home laser jet printer. We have the good fortune of living near a Paper Source store, where there are more options than I can think of ideas for, but it’s sure fun to mix and match the various papers with inserts and envelopes.This is an invitation I made when a few years back I hosted my friend, Cayley’s birthday luncheon. She enjoys an autumn birthday, so brown tones seemed fitting.

{Victoria Magazine}

{via}

If you are planning a Halloween extravaganza, wouldn’t it be fun to have Hubby or a friend dress up like a butler and serve beverages for guests?

{via}

The table setting below is interesting and doesn’t follow the typical fall standards, bust out and try some of the new colored vegetables with your flowers and candles the next time you entertain. It’s fun to think outside the box sometimes (the rule-follower, ‘fraidy cat said).

{via}

So, on to a great recipe…

Pioneer Woman posted a recipe for a “Quick Easy and Yummy Apple Tart” What’s not to love about this, right? But since I ~~insist~~ usually test recipes that I offer, I tried it. It is beyond really simple and it turns out {and tastes} as good as Ree’s picture looks, without stress or strain in the making. Rather than make you copy and paste the recipe, since I can’t figure out how to create a “printable copy” on my blog, I’ve given you the link, PW not only makes printing this recipe easy, she gives you a step by step pictorial tutorial on how to make this yummy dessert.

{Pioneer Woman Cooks}

If your weather hasn’t changed yet, or like a few of my blog friends, you live where it is just changing seasons to spring, you may want to move your party outdoors.

{tumblr}

Even the birds are into the season!

I hope Autumn will bring you plenty of fun meals with family and friends.

♥ Karen

{GHP} 10 Things I love about fall, I mean, Autumn

20 Thursday Sep 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Collections & Accessories, Decorating, Entertaining, Fall Entertaining and Decorations, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, House and Home, Traditions

≈ 24 Comments

Tags

greeting fall

Before I provide you with 10 things I love about the ~~fall~~ autumn season, I want you to know I’m a bit of a crazy when it comes fall. The season has always made me giddy with anticipation, maybe it stems from the whole back-to-school thrill I felt when returning the first day of school, seeing classmates I hadn’t seen over summer and sporting a new frock, not to mention the newly sharpened pencils and the fresh PeeChee folders and crisp, college-lined three-hole punch notebook paper.

Why am I telling you 10 reasons I like this time of year, whether you want to hear them or not? I was inspired by Melissa over at The Inspired Room. She hosts an Annual Fall Nesting party every year and I jump on the bandwagon because I know I’ll be surrounded by like-minded fall-season~~-fanatics~~ enthusiasts just like me and I’ll pick up a lot of great ideas for seasonal entertaining and décor.

So here goes, in no particular order because the way I see it each thing I love about autumn receives an equal share of my admiration…

1. Cooler days. A relative term since I live in Southern California however, it’s the little things, like a 10 degree difference that make my day.

{tumblr, the Steward}

Sometimes we even manage a little rain, nothing huge but still, it always makes me happy to know the plants are being gently cleaned of their summer dust.

{source}

2. Fire in the fireplace. We have a wood burning fireplace and it’s one of my favorite things in life. If I lived in the U.K. I would probably need a fire every day.

(above) a match holder I found years ago, love the acorn pattern to it.

{source}

{Carla’s coal burning fireplace ~ gas operated} * I apologize for the darkness of this photo.

3. The holidays. This time of year I begin to plan for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I’m not as big a fan of Halloween, other than it’s the time of year the goblins arrive, bag in hand, that marks the beginning of cooler weather for us. {Don’t get me wrong, I love seeing small children dressed for the holiday, I just have never gotten totally wrapped up in “Halloween” decorations or costumes — curmudgeon, no, why do you ask?

{Martha Stewart}

{griege blog}

{Southern Accents}

4. Turtlenecks. I know, how can that be a favorite? Easy, I hate my neck and am always happy I can wear scarves and turtlenecks this time of year.

{I don’t think I’ve ever pulled off “attitude” like the turtleneck-clad model below, but I do like her Donna Karan outfit}

5. Extra blankets. I’ve been known to sleep with windows open year round and it always feels good to have the extra weight of a blanket on me. Fortunately Hubby feels the same.

#5 and #6 should have been combined, but I do believe they are not mutually exclusive.

6. Flannel sheets. TMI? We love flannel sheets in the winter months.
Shorter days. This is the one item I reluctantly list because there is a part of me that truly appreciates the longer days of summer. That said, I enjoy getting home from work, having something comforting to eat and enjoying the darkness of the evening while sitting in front of the fire watching TV, catching up on email. We bought our flannel sheets from Lands End and they are so cozy.

7. Entertaining. I’ve had many conversations with friends who enjoy entertaining, about how much easier it is to entertain in the cooler months. When I entertain in the summer, yes the menu can be easier (BBQ, salads, etc.) but not necessarily. The “things to do” list is always longer in the summer i.e. windows should be clean, garden tended, patio furniture clean and so on. Once the time changes the outdoor factor goes away.

{my friend, Cayley always sets a beautiful fall table}

8. Apples. I enjoy fresh apples year round but there are so many delicious recipes using apples and there’s nothing like a piece of apple pie to help reinforce the season.

Have any of you ever tried these individual pie in a jar recipes?

9. Long, hot baths. No further explanation needed, right?

10. Fall foliage. You know, the leaves the plants the berries that crop up on so many deciduous plants. It draws thousands to the East coast annually…there must be something to it.

Talk to me, do you find yourself dreading fall, holding on to that last warm summer day, or do you get a burst of energy from the cooler season? It’s okay, I can take it, let me know.

I’m joining Kate at Centsational Girl for her fall link party. She is featuring mantles but said any fall post could join!

…and Alison at The Polohouse, for her Favorites on the First.

{Party} Favorite grilled chiken recipe

31 Tuesday Jul 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Food, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, Outdoor living, Recipes, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

Herb Chili Chicken

I was excited to read that Alison of The Polohouse had selected “favorite recipes” as her topic for her monthly Favorites on the First theme. This recipe originated from my good friend Carla via Bon Appetit, I think. It’s been used for years and never disappoints. One isty, little detail, you really must marinate this overnight for it to give you the incredible flavor. Don’t let the fresh jalapenos scare those of you who don’t care for spicy food, you won’t even know they’re in the marinade. The chicken grills up with an unbelievable flavor and I serve it with rice, black bean, red pepper recipe that really tastes great with it. {If you want the recipe for that, just ask} This is summer grilling at its best. Enjoy!

Tablesettings for outdoor dining follow the recipe…

Green Chili and Herb-Stuffed Chicken

image via

2/3 cup fresh lemon juice, divided

1/4 cup fresh parsley

8 jalapeno chilies, seeded and minced

2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, minced

2 tablespoons fresh thyme, minced

4 teaspoons salt (I use less salt)

12 half chicken breasts, boneless

2/3 cup dry vermouth

1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel

2 teaspoons coarsely ground pepper

2 tablespoons minced garlic

Marinade for the chicken:

Mix 1/3 cup lemon juice, parsley, chilies, rosemary, thyme, garlic and 2 teaspoons salt in medium bowl. Place all ingredients in the baking dish, place chicken breasts in marinade and turn once half way through marinating time. Arrange chicken in single layer in large baking pan. Sprinkle with vermouth, remaining 1/3 cup of lemon juice, lemon peel, remaining 2 teaspoons of salt and pepper to taste. Turn chicken to coat. Chill overnight, turning once.

Grill chicken over medium coals until cooked through, about 10-15 minutes

source unknown

blackberry farm

cote de texas

haus design

source unknown

This is our patio dining set up (below) shown with the “killer chairs”…we now have wicker chairs that are comfortable and you don’t have to worry about them collapsing on you!

karen’s patio

my french country home

Do you have a favorite recipe for summer grilling? Are you getting tired of the heat yet. I’m sticking to my “new attitude” about summer, but just barely. It’s too early to discuss fall, right?

I’m visiting Alison at The Polohouse for her Favorites on the First…this months topic, favorite recipes. Yummy.

{GHP} Happy 4th of July!

04 Wednesday Jul 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Family, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, Holidays, Independence Day

≈ 5 Comments

We’re off to dinner at our friends house this evening. I hope you are relaxing and enjoying friends and family. I know the official first day of summer was June 21st but the 4th of July always signaled the start of summer for me.

Have a safe and yummy 4th of July!

{GHP} Happy Father’s Day 2012…masculine rooms

14 Thursday Jun 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Family, Holiday/Seasonal cooking

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

Father's Day

♥What would the world be without great dads? In honor of the upcoming celebration of fathers, I’m posting images of what I consider to be masculine touches on a room or specific things that make me think of Hubby, one of the best dad’s I know!

Enjoy…

Isn’t this a great painting? It must have been someone’s dad.

Some dads collect watches…you know who you are.

Ship and Anchor

Diamond Baratta Design

When I met hubby he drove this car, he had brought it to the states from Germany. He wishes we’d kept it!

the Steward

I heard that manual typewriters are making a comeback, they have a young adult cult following. They look great in this bookcase as a vintage decorator item.

Ship and Anchor

Master of the tailored look, expert on masculine detail and probably a pretty good dad by all accounts…a Ralph Lauren room

Ralph Lauren

Hubby wears glasses similar to these…so preppy!

Ship and Anchor

New Victorian Ruralist

I love this perpetual calendar.

adventures in tartanscot

Architectural Digest

Lonny Magazine

Ralph Lauren

Happy Father’s Day to all of you who have loved and nurtured a child, sent them on their way into adulthood with confidence and joy…we thank you!

I’ve headed over to the Open House at No Minimalist Here, join me, won’t you?

{GHP} Happy Mother’s Day

10 Thursday May 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Decorating, Family, Flowers, Holiday/Seasonal cooking

≈ 14 Comments

Tags

Mother's Day

Parenting is not a duty. It is a privilege and an opportunity; A journey of self-discovery. -Becca Glouzstein

Charles Faudree ~ French Country Living

Oh for the clothing of earlier mom’s!

I lost my mom nearly two years ago to the day. I really never thought about what life would be without her, I miss her.

Since we’re going to celebrate MOTHERS this coming Sunday I thought I would share images that seem to reflect a feminine side to life as it pertains to home life and decor. As a mom, I feel blessed to have two wonderful sons and a wonderful daughter-in-law, with another lovely lady to join our family this December!

Donna Talley

Mary McDonald

The Paper Mulberry

Ralph Lauren Home

So, if you’re lucky enough to have a mom, especially one that lives nearby, be sure to treat her to a relaxing day filled with thoughtful deeds and loving gestures.

Happy Mother’s Day!

You can find me at Sherry’s Open House, No Minimalist Here

{GHP} Happy Easter

05 Thursday Apr 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Family, Food, Holiday/Seasonal cooking

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Easter

Happy 2 Days before Easter! ♥ Happy Spring!

Good Housekeeping

When our kids were young we were always the house where Easter dinner was held. We’d plan an Easter-egg hunt in the morning followed by a game of Bocci Ball for the group and a feast that included Honey Baked Ham, scalloped potatoes or potato salad, fresh fruit bowl, chocolate dipped strawberries, coconut cupcakes and a hollow bunny for each and every guest.