{Garden, Home and Party} Spring fever?

29 Monday Aug 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Holiday/Seasonal cooking, Personal Information

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Okay, I know we’re well into summer, in fact the count-down has begun for fall! That said, I think I have ~~spring~~ summer fever. I’ve hit a wall with regard to any creative ideas for new posts. I was a little down about it until I read similar complaints from 2 other favorite bloggers. They were taking a break and/or cutting back for a while on their posts.

One of my favorite blog sites, for the love of a house, is taking a break due to “bloggers block” and another favorite My French Country Home is cutting back to regain some balance in her busy life. Sounds good to me.

The Steward

Slim Paley

The Steward

Since I’ve been blogging in earnest I’ve met many creative and generous blog friends and I’ve felt as though I finally have a way of being creative while working a 40 hour week as an executive assistant. I enjoy my job but I love the joy of feathering my nest, keeping my garden (mostly) in order and entertaining family and friends. My site gives me the opportunity to journal various creative projects related to home and hearth.

Roger Davies Photography

So, for the rest of 2011 I will most probably post twice a week instead of my Monday, Wednesday, Friday current schedule and I’m giving myself a little vacation and will pick up this new schedule beginning September 8th. Please don’t forget about me, I’ll miss you all!

Heirloom Philosophy

Have you ever had a lapse in your creativity?

Off to Austin…time with Olivia

27 Wednesday Jul 2011

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

≈ 4 Comments

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Austin, Family, Texas

…and Son #1 and his lovely wife!

We’re off to Austin tomorrow. We can hardly wait. Our little Olivia is now 8 months old and is mobile…crawling with a smile on her face, knowledge that this is the first of many steps towards getting around on her own!

I will miss all of you…I didn’t schedule any posts during my absence but will be back August 5^th with something fun {hopefully}.

Stay cool, I know I’ll be trying…see you soon.

{Home}Have a fun-filled 4th of July

01 Friday Jul 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Collections & Accessories, Decorating, Entertaining, Family, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, Outdoor living, Party Planning, Traditions

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4th of July

With the upcoming 3-day holiday {I hope you all have at least 3 days off} I wanted to wish all of you wheel barrel’s full of fun and good eats! Here are a few images to inspire you if you haven’t decorated for the holiday yet…or just feel like perusing some patriotic rooms.

Image via Content in a Cottage

I have always considered Independence Day the “kick-off” day of summer. I used to work at Disneyland and the 4^th was always crowded at the park and since Disneyland had a nightly fireworks display, that rivals most, the crowds were out in mass.

These cupcakes could be a box mix with a simple frosting, adding the berries make them look so festive and delicious!

Image via Martha Stewart

This is wallpaper but doesn’t it look cool?

photo by Christopher Baker

photo by Victoria Pearson

photo by Christopher Baker

photo by Tria Giovan

God bless America! We are truly fortunate to live in this country, despite it’s challenges.

Enjoy the holiday with your family and friends!

{Party}4th of July 2011

29 Wednesday Jun 2011

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

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July 4th

It’s hard for me to fathom that a year has slipped by since the last Independence Day celebration.

photo by Steven Randazzo

We’ve been celebrating with a group of dear friends for the past 5 or 6 years and it’s always fun and relatively easy since we collectively cook for the feast.

photo by Anastassio Mentis photo by Steven Randazzo

I thought I’d pass along one of my favorite recipes for summer…it’s easy and delicious and perfect for the 4^th. My friends, Linda and Gretchen introduced this recipe to me years ago and it never fails to please a crowd. Enjoy!

photo by Steven Randazzo

CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH BEANS

1 15-oz can garbanzo beans (drained)

1 15-oz can kidney beans (drained)

1 15-oz can lima beans (drained)

1 15-oz can barbecue beans (don’t drain)

8 slices bacon

1 medium onion (diced)

1 cup brown sugar

2/3 cup ketchup

1 Tbl Worcestershire sauce

8-10 oz. cheddar (cut into small cubes)

Parmesan cheese for garnish (Kraft brand works best for this)

Microwave the bacon until crisp and reserve 2 Tbl. of the drippings. Crumble the bacon and set aside. Saute the onion in the bacon drippings until translucent. Combine onions, bacon, cheddar cheese cubes and beans together in a large bowl and stir until well blended. Combine ketchup, brown sugar and Worcestershire to make a sauce and stir into bean mixture. Pour entire mixture into a 13” x 9” pyrex dish, sprinkle with the parmesan cheese, and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Bon appetit!

Happy Easter

22 Friday Apr 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Holiday/Seasonal cooking

≈ 2 Comments

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Easter

Image via Martha Stewart

And Spring arose on the garden fair,

Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;

Image via 5th & State

And each flower and herb on Earth’s dark breast

rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.

—Percy Bysshe Shelley

Image via 5th & State

Keep a little Springtime in your heart. Happy Easter.

Easter and other thoughts of spring

11 Monday Apr 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Flowers, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, Party Planning

≈ 4 Comments

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spring decor

Spring fever has temporarily stymied the creative juices in me but I did come across some very pretty centerpiece ideas over at Martha’s (Martha Stewart dot com).

Image (above) via Small Stump + Studio

Image (above) via Martha Stewart

Images (above and below) via Martha Stewart

The wonderful thing about this time of year is that you can find flowers for a song (well, maybe not a song but truly affordable) and with the help of some warm weather and a sunny day, you can set a festive table and serve almost any meal and you, family and/or guests will be happy.

♥

It’s pretty universal; the advent of spring gives everyone’s spirits a boost. I try to capitalize on that feeling and the energy rush it provides, and clean, plan, and entertain.

Where decorating is concerned there are some rooms that seem like the very definition of spring…like these rooms recently featured in House Beautiful. Designed by Doug Davis of Tracery Interiors, this Alabama home speaks “spring”…in part because of the pink accents. I am not usually a huge fan of pink in décor for the home, but the subtle splashes in this instance have me hooked.

Images below via House Beautiful

I think this is home feels light and airy (very spring-like), in spite of the hints of formal living. It’s got to be the pink touches. To read more about this house, including the interview Mimi Read conducted with Paige Schnell and Doug Davis click HERE

What are your thoughts this spring? Have you come down with a case of Spring Fever?

A bit of the Irish and a spot of green

16 Wednesday Mar 2011

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

≈ 8 Comments

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St. Patrick's Day

Top o’ the mornin’ to you. Here’s a bit o’ green for your upcoming St. Patrick’s Day…

Okay, technically this cottage is in the Cotswold's...I couldn't find one nearly as charming on Google for Ireland.

You may want to dress up and paint the town red, I mean green!

I'd add the Burberry scarf just in case it's cool outside.

You'll want to take your bag, green beer isn't free.

I've never had this drink, but it's so much prettier than green beer, right?

I’ve always wanted to visit Ireland…I’ve been to England several times and just never managed to get to Ireland (bucket list #5).

Maybe you just want to keep it casual...

Hey, not that I own green UGG’s but these would be comfortable for an evening at home.

Maybe you'd rather stay home with your best friend, Reilly, the Irish Wolfhound (not to be confused with the Deerhound that just won Best of Breed at Westminster Dog Show.