~On the Porch~

Last weekend: I had fun getting the front porch all decked out for Fall- even though we were having summer-like temperatures. Pumpkins from the pumpkin patch, mums from the local garden center and a corn-husk-covered rope light to festoon the front door. Talk about a pain to make (literally- did you know dried corn husks are covered in little prickley things that stick all-over your skin? I know this intimately now!), but I love how it gives off a warm, inviting glow on these now dark evenings. :)

This weekend: Cooler temps, but I am sniffling and sneezing and generally feeling rotten due to a cold or some such thing. So not much getting done around here other than some feltie stitching and a few 'sit down' computer things in-between naps. Happily there's a Seahawks football game to enjoy tomorrow...

Have a lovely weekend!

4:15 PM - By Unknown 0

~Thrifted Treasure~

Due to the forecast that called for imminent rain today, I had planned a thrift store outing for this afternoon- just me and my boys.

The rain never actually came, but we did stumble on to some treasures . . .

This little plate caught my eye- AND it was half off! 
Isn't it cute all nestled in the serving drawer with my other small platters?

I also found this old brass lamp for only $7.50! It's nice and tall, which I like for reading. 
Now I just need to find the perfect shade to go with it!

 

The last treasure I found this afternoon was this pretty vintage embroidered linen- I'm totally smitten with it!

 Here's some detail. 

 I just love the colors . . . they're such an unusual color combination . . .

And here is the edge . . . isn't it pretty? 
I still haven't quite decided what I'm doing with this- maybe hang it in the mudroom window as an impromptu curtain.

And while I'm on the subject of thrift store finds, do you see the two patterned pillows below? I found them last month while on a date with my husband (yes, he likes thrift stores, too. He gets points for that.)- I was super excited because they were brand new and only 5 bucks a piece. And I LOVE the colors in them!

In fact, they've been my inspiration for decorating this summer.
Slowly, but surely, things are getting moved about, aired out, tidied up and lightened up. I only use what I already have on hand; just shaking things up a bit . . . packing some things away, bringing other things out from other rooms . . . lots of fun! :)

I'll share more when I get a little further.

What treasures have you found lately? I'd love to hear!

8:50 PM - By Unknown 0

~Happy Kitchen Blues~

Happy first day of summer!

Having fun getting the kitchen all ready for summer:

new mason jar water bottle for my lemon water . . .
fun red, white and blue strawberry contact paper to decorate under the kitchen sink . . .
an old blue and white pitcher with garden bounty. . .
handwashing my plate rack plates so they're all sparkly clean to welcome summer! . . .

How do you like to freshen things up for summer?

8:21 PM - By Unknown 0

~This Week and the Perfect Mother's Day Cake~

Around the house . . .

In the Garden . . .

And in the kitchen . . .

~Blackberry Cake~

1/2 cup butter, cut into chunks

1 cup all purpose flour

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 large eggs

1 cup fresh or frozen blackberries

powder sugar for sprinkling

Butter and flour a 9 inch cake pan with removable rim.

In a mixer bowl combine sugar and butter chunks. Slowly beat to combine and then beat on high speed for about 3 minutes.

Add flour, baking powder, and eggs.

Stir to combine, then beat on high speed until the batter is stiff and well blended, about 2 minutes.

Scrape batter into cake pan and spread smooth.

Scatter berries on top (you can add more than a cup- I did)

and sprinkle a little extra sugar on them.

Bake in center rack of oven at 350 until cake begins to pull away from the pan, about 55 to 60 minutes.

Run a knife around edge of pan rim. Let cool at least 10 minutes. Remove pan rim, dust cake with powder sugar and cut into wedges.

This is SO good still warm from the oven!

Have a lovely weekend and Happy Mother's Day!

5:03 PM - By Unknown 0

~Spring Things . . .

. . . in the garden.

. . . and around the kitchen.

Been spring cleaning- inside and out. Unbelievable how much is still to be done. Life is just so full right now- and that's a good thing. Just trying to live in each moment and this month happens to be throwing moments at me from every direction! ;)

I'll be in Seattle with my grandparents for a few days this week- helping out as I can. I know I'm in a season where I just can't post as often as I long to, but I'm here and still so glad you could pop by!

 Wishing you all a lovely week to come!

6:43 PM - By Unknown 0

~Playing Cupid~

Dean Martin is on . . . and so is my red apron with the green embroidered heart. I was up early this morning to play cupid. 

Set the table for a festive breakfast: German Pancakes (from the freezer section at Trader Joes) with Raspberry Sauce and Whip Cream and Apple Chicken Sausages. It sounds fancy (especially if I capitalize all the words ;)) but it's really just about the fastest and easiest breakfast apart from cereal or instant oatmeal. What makes it really special is all the little touches at the table . . . heart sprinkles in the whip cream, pancakes with LOVE hearts in pretty cupcake liners, lots of pink and red . . . and a couple little presents for my boys. :) Pardon the Oldest's bare chest- that boy pretty much lives without a shirt on in the house. I get cold just looking at him.

I started the cookie dough for shortbread cookies and while they sat in the fridge I donned my wings and played cupid in the dining room, too. I'm preparing a special dinner just for the Husband and I and I love to set a romantic table. Lots of green and pink; white and roses. . . and, yes- a wrinkly tablecloth because this is real life and I just don't have the time! (besides, in nothing but candlelight will it even be noticeable? . . .  okay, I admit I'm the type of person who would still notice, but the Husband is the type who notices nothing, so it's all good)

On the buffet I set the little gifts from me to Him along with desert- chocolate heart cake picked up at New Seasons. Hoping it's good and not too dry. I prefer homemade, but again, this cupid has a very limited time span- as well as energy!

But one last thing cupid needs to do before she says ado . . .

Have a very Happy Valentine's Day- wherever you are, whatever you're doing, don't forget- you are LOVED, and that's the truth!

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life! John 3:16

Cheers!

2:39 PM - By Unknown 0