Moments of Delight...Anne Reeves

Hawaii: Best Shaved Ice on Oahu

2012-01-27T18:06:00.002-05:00

Up in the town of Waialua, we tracked down the "best shaved ice on Oahu." Essentially a giant snow cone, we were curious to try this local specialty.

A darling salesman/surfer explained the flavor choices and unexpectedly gave us an impromptu taste test between the mango flavoring that "the others" use and the homemade recipe used at the Old Sugar Mill (islandxhawaii.com). What a difference! That, he explained, is why all the locals come here. The mango syrup was light and fresh and delicous. I ordered a split of mango and coconut and slurped up the majority of this Hawaiian treat. We shopped the store, toured the chocolate/coffee production area out back and was lovingly shown a local route to the best view of the North Shore pipeline. Our visit to the Old Sugar Mill in Waialua was Hawaiian hospitality at its best. Mahalo!

Honolulu: Neiman Marcus

2012-01-26T17:27:00.000-05:00

During our pre-trip planning, my friend Corinne kept saying that we had to have lunch at Neiman Marcus. We had done this many times at home, so I figured it was more out of nostalgia than anything else.

Then when we walked onto the open air balcony, it became clear that we weren't just there for the popovers. Our table had a view of the ocean!

If you are ever in Honolulu on vacation, brush the sand off your feet, put on a cute sundress and make reservations for lunch at the Neiman Marcus at Ala Moana. It's the best girl lunch ever. Shown here is my "Griled Lemon Shrimp with Romaine Hearts, quinoa, goat cheese, asparagus, tomato and mint." Yep, I wanted to stay all day.

Hawaii: Birds in Paradise

2012-01-25T17:11:00.001-05:00

This little beauty is the Japanese White Eye (http://www.honoluluzoo.org/japanese_white-eye.htm) A yellow songbird that I have seen day after day flitting between the branches of the orchid trees here on Oahu. I love to investigate the flora and fauna of a new place and so far this bright yellow bird is my favorite find.

Oahu: Sunset and Surfers

2012-01-24T16:05:00.002-05:00

We were on the North Shore of Oahu for a casual sunset dinner at "Jameson's by The Sea." Luckily my friends were patient with me, as I kept popping up out of my chair to run and take a picture. The sky was continually changing and I didn't want to miss a thing. I was rewarded with this shot of a surfer and his board crossing the breakwater. I feel confident when I say that this guy was having a good day.

Hawaii: Eating the Local Delights

2012-01-23T14:17:00.000-05:00

Now this is a breakfast of champions! Fresh papaya (with a squeeze of lime juice), yogurt sweetened with Hawaiian sugar, fresh grilled pineapple, dried apple banana chips and the crunch of roasted macadamia nuts. Yep, Hawaii suits me.

When Corinne and I visited a friend of hers, I noticed a full size tree in the neighbors yard loaded with orange-colored fruit. I asked her if they could possibly be tangerines ripening on the tree. Oh yes, that tree is very productive, she said.

A few days later, Corinne dropped by her friend's without me and returned home with an armload of fruit! The neighbor had dropped off a bunch and she shared some with Corinne. So lately our "snack" has been fresh tangerines! Eating them somehow feels different because I know they weren't picked from a stack at the grocery store. They feel like a gift - true Hawaiian hospitality.

Oahu: View from Diamond Head

2012-01-21T16:05:00.001-05:00

Sea, Sun and Surfers - this is the epitome of life in Hawaii. On our way from the farmer's market, we drove along the shore under Diamond Head and took advantage of a scenic pull off to take this beautiful photograph.

I love the salt and pepper dots that are surfers waiting for the next big wave. The ocean dictates the fun around here, one pull of the surf at a time.

Oahu: Idyllic Beaches

2012-01-20T14:40:00.000-05:00

"Oh darling,want to go for a swim?" If we'd had time, I would have thrown on a swimsuit and gone swimming at this picture perfect beach called "Hanauma Bay."

Doesn't it look divine? The footpath down to it is a bit tenuous, a steep and dusty path from the highway down to the sand, but it looks oh-so-worth-it! If there only was time for all of this. This is the beach location for the famous kissing scene in the movie, "From Here To Eternity" (with Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr) was filmed - a movie set indeed.

I took this photo from above at the scenic pullout for the Halona Blowhole.

Oahu: Two Scoops Ice Cream Parlor in Ko Olina

2012-01-19T18:27:00.001-05:00

Doesn't this look pretty? The mural says it all: Hawaiian hospitality meets the charm of an English tearoom. I love ice cream; I love tea. Can the two ideas really be that far apart?

I can only speak to the ice cream, but was delicious! I had a scoop of the Hawaiian Mud Pie - rich homemade Kona coffee ice cream with Oreo cookie crumbs hidden within. Yum Yum Yum.

The English owners offer tea and scones as well and my friend was raving about how cute the parlor tables looked when they were all set up for afternoon tea on her last visit.

If your sweet tooth gives you a nudge after dinner in Ko Olina, stop by Two Scoops (www.twoscoopsicp.com) for an inspired ice cream treat.

Oahu: Aulani Resort

2012-01-18T18:06:00.001-05:00

Have you ever felt like you were actually on a movie set? The ocean, the food, the atmosphere felt worthy of an epic love story filmed by a renowned movie producer on his best day. I mean it!

My friends suggested we have an early dinner at the oceanfront restaurant 'AMA 'AMA (within the spectacular Disney resort, Aulani (www.http://resorts.disney.go.com/aulani-hawaii-resort/dining/table-service/ama-ama-beach-restaurant/) so that we could watch the sun set over the Pacific during dinner. Sounds good to me!

The Aulani resort just opened in September 2011, so it is brand new and absolutely gorgeous. The resort theme tries to capture the spirit of Hawaiian culture through art, music, food and design and I think they did a beautiful job. The scale of the resort is grand, but the atmosphere remains distinctly calming.

After a lovely dinner (you can see my salad course of Heirloom tomatoes, Buratta cheese and a white corn vinaigrette below) at a table close to the ocean, we wandered up to the open air lobby to visit the gift shop (would you believe a Aulani-specific Dooney & Bourke purse?) and take a look around.

In this second floor lobby, there are alcoves and balconies where you can sit and listen to live Hawaiian music waft up from the patio below. I'm not sure my blood pressure could go any lower - it was lovely.

Is the Aulani a "must visit" site on your delightful tour of Oahu? Absolutely.

Honolulu: Farmers Market

2012-01-17T13:56:00.002-05:00

It exceeded my imagination. I knew that I wanted to visit a local farmers market when I was in Hawaii; I could see the tropical fruits stacked on tables in my mind.

When I visited the Kapi o lani Community College's farmers market (http://kapiolani.hawaii.edu/object/farmersmarket.html)on Saturday, the sights and sounds of this bustling market were a cook's dream come true.

I saw beautiful pink and black Hawaiian salt for sale. One vendor specialized in local honey and had sample tray with tiny drops of each flavor honey for shoppers to sample. The "hibiscus honey" stands out in my mind. And look at these gorgeous papaya!

I took pictures, sampled pineapple cake and sipped an icy made-while-you-wait Ginger Lemon Basil Cooler. It was a lovely way to spend a Saturday morning. The next time you are on vacation (with access to a kitchen), try to visit the farmers market. Fresh never tasted so good.

Honolulu: Q-Pot

2012-01-17T01:48:00.002-05:00

My oh my, are these necklaces cute! I discovered a store in Honolulu's Ala Moana mall that is pushing the boundaries of what a "charm" on a necklace should be. This Japanese store is called Q-Pot (http://www.q-pot.jp/eng/brand-items/necklace.html) and you really should check it out.

The store sells tiny French pastries, macaroons and scoops of ice cream as pendants on necklaces. They are sooooo cute. I've never seen anything like it and, as a sugar lover, I wholeheartedly approve.

The sales girl was modeling their latest creation - tiny hamburger necklaces where each charm is a layer that stacks on the next - bottom bun, beef patty, tomato, cheese...whatever you want on it. No joke! It's cute, but it can't compare with a tiny pink macaroon.

There is only one shop in the United States (and apparently they don't sell online) but you can email: qpot-alamoana@lyrausa.com or call the store at (808) 955-9330 for sales inquiries.

Honolulu: Hiking

2012-01-16T09:45:00.000-05:00

Are you up for a hike? I wasn't when I realized that this famous "Koko Crater Trail" has 1,048 steps to the top! But I can show you what's possible on this gorgeous island; feel free to send me pictures from the top.

Apparently the railroad tie trail is the remains of a funicular track that carried men and supplies up to a radar facility on top of the crater during World War II. The view is said to be spectacular and is a fun milestone activity for those who like a physical challenge on their vacation.

Honolulu: Whole Bead Show

2012-01-14T20:28:00.000-05:00

Didn't I have fun? The 17th Annual Honolulu Bead Show (whole bead.com) coincided with my trip to Hawaii. This is what you call having the moon and stars align.

My friend Corinne is new to jewelry making (her specialty is sea glass) and we had so much fun looking at the beads, findings and inspiration pieces at the show.

I found some beautiful shell charms and whipped up this beautiful charm necklace and have already worn it to dinner on this trip! I love to make a piece of jewelry and wear it immediately. This is what I call "shell chic!"

Honolulu: Ukelele Love

2012-01-13T20:27:00.001-05:00

For the past few years, my mom has been keeping ukeleles on my mind. She shows me articles about the growing beach scene for young musicians who like to tote a less precious instrument with them to the beach to play. She's the one that got me to look up Jake Shimabukuro's ukelele version of "My Guitar Gently Weeps" (you can find it by searching on YouTube) - it's lovely. So...you can imagine that when I was invited to visit my friends in Hawaii, her eyes lit up. I am on a quest to bring her a ukulele from the source: Hawaii.

The ones you see here are gorgeous! I was perusing the wall, settling on my favorites, when I realized that most of these were $500-$1,000. Whoops! A little too much to spend on whimsy.

So the hunt continues. Wish me luck!

Oahu: Dole Pineapple Plantation

2012-01-12T02:53:00.000-05:00

I love fresh pineapple and this is the ultimate in "fresh", wouldn't you say?

I visited the Dole Pineapple Plantation today (look at the pineapple field with the Pacific ocean in the background! Gorgeous.) and was surprised to learn that each pineapple plant can produce one pineapple 3 times; the first pineapple takes 18 months to develop and reach maturity, the second pineapple takes 32 months for it to develop and the third and final piece of fruit takes 45 months before it can be picked and eaten. Isn't that hard to imagine? And after that 3rd pineapple is picked, the plant is finished producing forever.

I really had fun looking around the gift shop and "had to have" a lovely dark wood cutting board in the shape of a pineapple. The pineapple is a symbol of hospitality and I know that I will have fun using this board for appetizers at my house. I have a vague recollection of a cream cheese/pineapple recipe that would be nice with crackers. I'll have to see if I can find it when I get home. If I do, I promise to post it here.

Honolulu: Chai's Island Bistro

2012-01-11T01:21:00.000-05:00

We had a lovely dinner at Chai's Island Bistro (chaisislandbistro.com) on a steamy Honolulu night. A cruise ship in the harbor was a magnetic pulling groups of two and three vacationers past our table and back to the ship. Every grouping I saw was casually strolling the shopping plaza, and then I noticed that they would eventually arc and be pulled onto the same path toward the ship. A floating city ready to take them to the next port overnight. Fascinating.

I had a nice bright salad of mesclun greens with roasted beets, carrot wisps and a balsamic vinaigrette. Dinner was wok-seared jumbo black prawns in a spicy ginger sauce with Asian vegetables and Jasmine rice. Yum! Part of the fun of dining at Chai's was looking at the wall of celebrities that had been there over the years: Justin Timberlake, Michael Caine, Billy Baldwin, Mick Fleetwood and Kathy Ireland. No celebrity sightings on our night, but it was fun to look. Ahhhh, the fun of dinner on vacation.

Honolulu: Bird of Paradise

2012-01-10T20:59:00.001-05:00

It's is easy to remember that I'm in "paradise" when I routinely see the exotic flower "Bird of Paradise" on my morning walk. Large healthy shrubs bloom along the paths here as part of the landscaping. It's lovely!

I haven't identified all of the flora yet, but there is an "Orchid Tree" blooming near my friend's place and when the breeze blows, the air smell so sweet!

Honolulu: Coconut Water

2012-01-09T16:35:00.002-05:00

You know how the coconut water craze has taken expanded the shelves of the "healthy drinks" section of the supermarket? Vitamin water, fruit juices and now coconut water tempt us all, athletes or not.

Well, there may be something to all the buzz about coconut water, which is said to contain healthy compounds that can aid in restoring hydration, regulating body temperature and the like. Well, I spent 2 hours at the Honolulu at the swap meet in 86 degrees and did surprisingly well.

Could it have been the coconut water I drank directly from THIS coconut? One of the vendors was popping open the base of fresh coconuts, inserting a straw and letting the customers drink the coconut water inside. When you had drained it, he took the coconut back and cleaved it open with a bayonet - no joke. You can see the gorgeous flesh inside, which he loosens for patrons to eat, by running a special knife around the perimeter.

I liked drinking the coconut water, but frankly the raw white flesh was a little indigestible. When it comes to eating, I will stick to the flaked and fabulous coconut from the store.

But I did feel fabulous while I walked the perimeter of the Aloha Bowl shopping for Hawaiian trinkets and treasures. Was the coconut water the secret to my hot weather stamina? In the name of research, we've decided to buy a bottle of coconut water for me a the supermarket to take along with us to the beach. Bring on the sun!

Buying my purses and jewelry

2012-01-08T13:33:00.001-05:00

Aloha! I have put my Etsy store in "vacation mode" while I am traveling in Hawaii. You will be able to shop my cigar box purses, Delight totes and super cute jewelry once I return. Thank you!

Honolulu: Hawaiian Sun Juice Cans

2012-01-07T13:29:00.000-05:00

Guess who is going to make gorgeous flower arrangements?! I imagined that I could find some pretty soda pop cans in Hawaii, but these cans by Hawaiian Sun (hawaiiansunproducts.com) exceeded my expectations! I will bring them home empty (thank you flat rate shipping boxes!) and use them this Spring and Summer as vases for flower arrangements. I can not wait!

I bought six 6-packs and we are having fun tasting all the flavors. Pineapple Orange is a favorite. have you ever brought home a beautiful bottle or can from a trip?

Honolulu: Honolulu Cookie Company

2012-01-06T13:18:00.000-05:00

Yes, I am doing a lot of "research" for you and tasting everything that looks delicious and unusual for you. Enter stage left: The Honolulu Cookie Company.

Imagine tropical shortbread in the shape of a pineapple, possibly dipped in chocolate. Wow. I cruised the sample bar and can say that "Pineapple Macadamia" and "Lilikoi Mango (it's pink!) were my favorites. My friend has a "frequent shopper" card here so I know that I will get to come back!

If you order online (www.HonoluluCookie.com) I would get the "No Ka Oi (meaning the very best) Pineapple Wrap Box" - it holds one of each of the 15 flavors!

Honolulu: Roy's in Waikiki

2012-01-05T12:41:00.000-05:00

It was my first dinner on Oahu and my friend had arranged for us to meet up with 2 of her friends at Roy's.

"Roy, the famous Hawaiian chef that I saw cook on Top Chef Masters - that Roy?!". Yep.

I was over the moon. I had been joking that my favorite foods are shrimp, rice, pineapple, coffee and coconut, so Hawaii was the bullseye in my culinary map.

I am eating local! The salad had Kula butter leaf lettuce, Big Island goat cheese, bacon, Tempura onions from Eva, with local papaya and a curry yuzu vinaigrette. It was light and delicious, although next time I would get the dressing on the side.

The entree (and part of the meal I had difficulty making conversation through because I was completely entranced by the dish!) was Jumbo Shrimp Roasted in butter served with Avocado and Eggplant risotto with a Tomato Lime broth. Roy, you are a genius!

Aloha from Honolulu!

2012-01-04T12:37:00.001-05:00

Pinch me! I am visiting friends in Honolulu and THIS is the view when we are out enjoying the day and "running errands". Can you believe it? I took this photo from a moving car and grabbed a little bit of paradise to show you on this first day.

Do you have any favorite places on Oahu? Please share them with me here. Mahalo, which is the Hawaiian word for thank you.

Downton Abbey: Season Two

2012-01-02T23:09:00.002-05:00

Wonderful news! For a limited time, you can watch the first season of Downton Abbey (for free!) on the PBS Masterpiece Theater's website and prepare yourself for the long-anticipated Season Two which airs next Sunday January 8th!

Doesn't this kind of news just proclaim Happy New Year!

City Series, Houston: Ninfas

2011-12-30T23:35:00.000-05:00

I was so glad to be able to visit the original Ninfa's on Navigation in Houston. I love fajitas and Mama Ninfa is created with bringing the popular dish to the public by first serving fajitas in her restaurant more than twenty years ago.

Everything was outstanding. The food, the service, the atmosphere. I can still recall how delicious the handmade tortillas were and I definitely ate my weight in chips and salsa that night, I couldn't help it!

City Series, Houston: Ima Hogg

2011-12-29T23:26:00.018-05:00

While I was in Houston, I wanted to visit Ima Hogg's famous estate. I made it as far as the gardens when I realized that it was closed early that day because of a "Candlelight Tour" scheduled for that evening.

I really wanted to see the art, furniture and style of this icon Houstonian. And the fact that she rose above her comical name (and was said to have signed her first name illegibly) makes me like her even more. I enjoyed seeing a bit of her gardens on this chilly Houston day and promised myself to come back when the azaleas are blooming and I can wander around inside for as long as I want.

City Series, Houston: British Isles

2011-12-28T23:13:00.000-05:00

And these are just the teapots! Have you ever fallen for a place online and were then able to visit it "in person" later?

I found British Isles online when I was searching for more tin plates, like the ones I bought at Windsor Castle. Voila! I found the plates and when they shipped I noticed that the business was actually a bricks and mortar store in Houston. I go to Houston, I thought, and I put it on my list.

Well the "real" store exceeded my expectations and my sister-in-law recalls me saying, "Just to be clear, I want to stay 9 more days, just in this store, so that I can look at everything." Ha!

British candy, English tea, Scottish sausages, paper goods, sweaters, linens...it is amazing. Just look at this selection of tea and biscuits!

I want to back...to England and to British Isles in Houston. What a delight!

City Series, Houston: Criossant Brioche

2011-12-27T22:58:00.000-05:00

Ooh la la. Take me for a lunch inspired by France and I am happy! When shopping in Rice Village, we only had to read the sign "Croissant Brioche" to know that we were destined to have our lunch there.

Quiche, jambon et fromage on a baguette, fresh green salads with nut-oil vinaigrette - we were in heaven. We could choose anything from the case to accompany our entree and I was completely happy with this luscious apple pastry. Bon appetit!

City Series, Houston: Restoration Hardware

2011-12-26T20:37:00.101-05:00

These days not a lot of retail stores can make me say, "Wow." The economy just hasn't been conducive for lavish build outs anymore. So when I was visiting family in Houston, my sister-in-law said that a friend suggested she take me to the new "Highland Village Restoration Hardware." Okay, I said, but we do have Restoration Hardware at home...

I had no idea what I was in for. Hands down the most spectacular retail setting I have seen in years. An 3-story retail mansion designed to show you just how beautiful real life can be. The gray-on-taupe-on-cement coloring embraces the very same color scheme Martha Stewart started trumpeting years ago and that's okay. It is gorgeous.

The photo above shows a lavish RH bedroom as you would see it in a furniture store - every pillow, lamp and sheet all tucked in its place. This isn't the kind of store you pick up and carry your purchases around. Here you're assisted by an iPad-toting salesperson who clicks and confirms your every wish electronically.

Have a chateau that you need to fill? Above is the perfect tufted couch for twenty of your closest friends to relax on. Can you believe the scale of this piece? Everything is bigger in Texas, that's for sure. But I love it!

And the crowning glory of this building is the 3rd floor greenhouse/sun room (with tent-like shades on the enormous windows to shield clients from the sun) that highlights outdoor seating, offers custom floral and succulent arrangements and has doors leading out to a rooftop living space. I can only imagine the glorious special events that the company can host here. It's genius.

If you are ever within driving distance of "The Gallery" at Restoration Hardware (Los Angeles and Houston), be sure to visit this stellar example of grand design - it will not disappoint.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T11:51:00.000-05:00

Sending you wishes

for a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas in Vienna

2011-12-24T23:30:00.001-05:00

That's what my Christmas wrapping theme feels like to me: Christmas in Vienna. The gilding, the classical music, the fine china - can you see what I mean?

I accomplished it by choosing wrapping papers in cream and gold, photo-coping vintage sheet music to wrap extra special packages and by placing fancy pipe cleaner snowflakes under the tree to add depth and interest.

The china? In this photo, you can see one of two new tin plates that are reproductions of famous British china patterns. I bought them to add to my collection while I was in Houston and stuck them under the tree as soon as I arrived home. It is just the kind of thing Santa would bring me. He knows good design when he sees it. Merry Christmas!

Vintage Shiny Brite Tree

2011-12-23T21:27:00.000-05:00

After a year of collecting, my (primarily) "Shiny Brite" Christmas tree is ready for display! I love these classic American ornaments from the 40's and 50's and have had fun scouring flea markets and antique stores for just the right mix. I've loaded the branches with as many ornaments as I could and I just love it.

These ornaments are the small and delicate, each is about the size of a small plum. I love how the bright colors, stripes and shapes catch the light and give the tree depth. I made a raspberry pique tree skirt with a pom-pom edge and it highlights the pink in the tree perfectly.

My little vintage tree turned out exactly as I hoped it would - the perfect way to showcase my collection. Now imagine Bing Crosby singing, "White Christmas" and it will be like you're right here with me.

Merry Christmas!

Holiday Luncheon

2011-12-22T10:04:00.000-05:00

I hosted my mom and her sister (my aunt, Carol) for a Christmas lunch this year - doesn't the table look pretty? The dishes were my grandmother's (their mother's) and is known as "Jewel" by Spode.

I layered a red and green plaid tablecloth (by Tag) with coordinating cloth napkins, green-handled silverware (similar to this) and used my little pale green Christmas tree as the centerpiece.

I love this little tree because it is loaded with vintage-style cooking implements. Whisks, potato mashers, rolling pins and cookie cutters. It is so "me" and looks perfect surrounded by a little town of green and white houses.

After soup and salad, we ended our meal with a chocolate "Home For The Holidays" cake served on a silver platter with homemade butter cream snow drifts. So cute!

In the hustle bustle of the holidays, nothing is better than enjoying a quiet lunch with family. I wish you many meals like this in 2012.

Festive Cakes

2011-12-21T22:09:00.000-05:00

When my friend called me for directions to our "Euchre Night," she asked what I was bringing. It was a holiday-themed card party and she was curious to hear what I was up to.

I told her that I was making a cake, but that it was less about the cake and "All about the stencil." Can you blame me? Look at this masterpiece! Anything that can look this good just by shaking powdered sugar on it, is a dream come true.

The stencil is by Martha Stewart and you can get one here. I used a yellow box cake mix and made homemade chocolate butter cream icing.

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
2/3 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup whole or 2% milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency. Add additional milk, if needed to be spreading consistency. Stir in vanilla. Spread on cake smoothly. Put in refrigerator for a while to let the icing set, this allows the stencil to be placed on the icing, sprinkled with powdered sugar, and then lifted gently away, leaving a gorgeous image. Voila!

Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten) in London

2011-12-20T22:16:00.005-05:00

Tah-dah! The shops and spots are listed here! The "Barefoot in London" episode of Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa television special has created a lot of interest for foodies around the world. If you have been searching for a list of places she visited, you can find it here. Enjoy!

La Fromagerie - bacon sandwiches

William Curley Chocolatier - chocolate lollipops with fruit and nuts

Ottolenghi - a Middle Eastern specialty food shop - cheese straws and sliced potatoes)

Harwood Arms gastro pub - Ploughman's Lunch (lincolnshire poacher cheese, keens cheddar, pork pie, potato bread, walnut bread, fresh radish, celery, carrots, apple, 7 min eggs, apple chutney and piccalilli relish)

Borough Market was toured by Tom Parker Bowles

Hebridean Smokehouse (scallops, salmon)
The Flour Station (Chelsea Buns)
(Piccadilly Chili sauce - need farm stand name)
Brindisa Spanish Tapas - chorizo, ham loin, salami and drank sherry

William Yeoward - placemats, glassware, holiday tablescapes

I blogged about my visit to La Fromagerie here. And you can read about additional locations I loved in England by clicking the "London" (and "England") links in my City Series section in the blog sidebar. Thanks and enjoy!

Vintage Christmas Cards

2011-12-19T10:16:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite things to scout for at flea markets and antique shows are vintage Christmas cards. Remember when I made small pillows out of the image from this card? It became the perfect hostess gift for me to bring to holidays parties. When my friends look at a sea of wine bottles and candy tins left behind at their party, I want them to see a gift that was made especially for them. It's the little things, right?

This card has three pages that fold to create a 3-dimensional view of "dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh." Don't you love it? It is signed "Earl, Pearl and family, 1952" and has the music score to Jingle Bells printed on the back, in case the whole scene inspires you to burst into song.

The digital world is fine and bulk photo cards depicting the family is nice, but my heart loves a card that sums up the excitement of coming home for the holidays.

Christmas Heirlooms

2011-12-17T01:03:00.002-05:00

I learned a great lesson about love, collecting and the passing on of heirlooms this year, and now is the perfect time to share.

This photo was taken (by me) at a different outdoor antiques fair, but I'll use it today to show you how vintage ornaments (usually $1-3) can be displayed for sale - in one layer, gently cushioned in tissue.

On the day of this story, the ornaments that caught my eye were in an open, unmarked box. I wandered down the series of tables to the vendor, a quiet woman in her late sixties, and asked her how her ornaments were priced.
"$16 each. But that's because these are the real-deal made-in-Germany blown-glass ones from the 1940's."
"How nice," I said, "they are beautiful, but that is a little too much for me. Thank you, though," and I started walking back toward my husband, who happened to be in the direction of the ornament box. She followed and when she got to the display, she stopped and started talking to me about vintage ornaments in general. I responded with, "It was this pale pink one that caught my eye."

"Oh that one was my mother's, here, you can have it," she said lifting the ornament from the box.

What? Why would she give it to me? What was happening? Then I really heard what she was saying as she walked back to her tissue and bags. Yes, there was mention of her dog that had been getting into her tree; he even tried to chew one lately. But she also said, "I don't have any kids" to me...twice.
When someone repeats something in the same few sentences, that is the real message and thank heaven I caught it. This women had decided to "pass down" her mother's ornament to me. By singling it out, I had unknowingly shown her that I would be a good steward for her treasure, and when she told me that it was her mother's she guaranteed that I would be extra careful when I put it away each year.

The surprising thing is that I didn't cry on the spot, as I am now while I write this.

"Merry Christmas, dear woman, your heirloom is safe with me."

Gingerbread Neighborhood

2011-12-16T17:47:00.002-05:00

Sometimes I wonder why I don't work in a bakery. I would love love love to be able to pipe frosting on gingerbread houses all day. I stopped in my tracks in the bakery section of Central Market in Houston when I saw this gingerbread neighborhood! It was a sight to see.

I'm convinced that I am genetically predisposed to love baking. I get sentimental when the special displays are set up in the grocery store - candied orange peel, new cartons of baking powder, bars of baker's chocolate - "Hello, old friends!"

I "collect" colored sugar and sprinkles like it was embroidery floss or watercolor paints. Color is color and I have to have it, no matter the medium. Do you fell this way? Is your DNA coded for baking?

Cute is Forever

2011-12-15T17:20:00.000-05:00

I have had this Gingerbread House cookie tin for at least ten years, maybe more. But last night it single-handedly proved my theory that "Cute is Forever."

I went to the Junior League of Birmingham's New Member cookie exchange with 3 dozen gingerbread men (yea!) and brought my gingerbread house tin as a means to carry the cookies I got at the exchange. The girls like the gingerbread men alright, but it was this cute tin that got all of the attention. When asked where I got it, I said that it had been at least 10 years and that I couldn't remember where I found it. Then I added, "But cute is forever."

Now we can't buy everything we see, and I know that we can barely store what we have, but sometimes a standout item like this is too cute to pass up. And every time you pull it out, you'll love it all over again. When you work this hard on cookies, you need a worthy container.

Nativity

2011-12-14T09:24:00.006-05:00

Isn't this a charming nativity? My sister-in-law bought it in Mexico years ago and it has a special place on her fireplace mantle.

I was struck at how the base color of the figures matches the bricks in her fireplace perfectly - it was meant to be. Do you have a sentimental nativity?

Adorable Holiday Candy

2011-12-13T10:38:00.000-05:00

I was going for "cute" and got delicious too! I was at the cake and candy supply store, happily spinning the rack of chocolate candy molds, when I saw this! A plastic mold that makes 10 "house" chocolates per batch - adorable!

I wanted to try making some simple chocolates to serve with coffee and cookies over the holidays. I knew that Wilton made favored/colored chocolate wafers (or discs) that could be put in clear piping bags and melted in the microwave. I wanted to make the house look "Colonial" so when I saw peanut butter discs at a Michaels Craft Store, my mind said "khaki!" - the perfect color of "siding" for my house.

I used some dark chocolate discs that I had from another project and Voila! I have a super cute candy that tastes like a Reese's Peanut Butter cup.

The candy you see here is from my first batch - there is not much of a learning curve, I'm happy to say. The only change I need to make is to pipe less peanut butter into the house cavity so that it doesn't seep outside the lines of the house.

Tips:

Use disposable plastic bags - you can microwave in them and toss them when you're finished
After the peanut butter is piped in, lightly "drop" or tap the mold to let any bubbles escape the chocolate. Do the same after you pipe in the dark chocolate.
Allow chocolate to set before trying to unmold. I put mine in the refrigerator for 5 minutes. Gently twist the mold to release (similar to what you would do with an ice cube tray) and then tap and push on the back of the mold (face mold down onto wax paper-covered counter top) to encourage the chocolates to release.

Holiday Decorations

2011-12-12T23:07:00.004-05:00

So far, this is my favorite holiday light display. I was in Houston, Texas last week (stay tuned for a City Series on Houston after Christmas) and noticed so many kinds of Christmas decorations that I've never seen in Michigan.

One grand display I saw was a neighborhood that had white lights strung along subdivision streets for what felt like a thousand feet! Hundreds of 4 foot high poles suspend strand after strand of small white lights. These poles are placed 6 feet apart and, when wrapped with white lights and connected, they create a rail of light that lines the street in mid-air. It is simply beautiful decoration that is easy for neighbors to participate in.

The charming Christmas tree shown here wins my award for most creative. This "tree" is made completely of lights! Solid strands of green lights are attached to the facade of a fireplace. Then multicolor lights become the ornaments and a red tube light represents the string of lights. Do you love it? I thought you would!

Family Tree Ornaments

2011-12-10T13:12:00.003-05:00

My tradition of filling a "family tree" with Christmas ornaments that I've made from family photographs was mentioned in the Detroit Free Press newspaper today. You can see the article here.

The Family Tree has fabric photo ornaments that are printed on June Tailor Inkjet Fabric Sheets. Then I sew them to a coordinating fabric, "pink" the edges (create zigzag with scissors) and glitter the wedding bouquet or hair bow in the photo. I tuck them into the branches, or they can be hung from ribbon. I also hang old family photos framed in small glass picture frames. I created labels for the back of each ornament to identify the person and their connection to us.

As for the article, I love having a photo credit in a major newspaper (front page, above the fold, no less!) as well as being mentioned in the same breath as Katie Brown, another lifestyle expert and Michigan-native. I have long-admired her collection of housewares and the natural aesthetic in her designs.

Want to see the entire Family Tree? I thought so...

Butterflies on Christmas Tree

2011-12-08T09:00:00.001-05:00

Want to add a little whimsy and magic to your Christmas tree? How about A few glittered butterflies hovering around the branches?

These 1 inch craft store butterflies were dyed another color and I simply coated them with craft glue and doused them with magenta glitter. When you are in the store, choose the ones that come on a thin wire. Once the glue has dried, you can wrap the wire around a branch and let them hover. I wouldn't do too many, just enough to catch someone's eye. Three sets of two would be plenty.

I also wanted to show you a picture of the entire tree and how I like to decorate the tree emphasizing jewel tones. What do you think?

Frosting and Fellowship

2011-12-06T11:26:00.001-05:00

Needless to say, I had fun fun fun at this year's "Frosting and Fellowship." My scrapbook-loving friend, Angie, invited me to attend the second annual cookie decorating extravaganza with her last week. Parking was a breeze as I was the only one registered for the event! You see, Angie and I tend to name our activities and Frosting and Fellowship (an offshoot of Glue and Gab) was really just a quiet afternoon of cookie decorating with Angie and her youngest son.

After learning royal white icing techniques, Angie wanted to teach me the "pipe the exterior, brush on the interior" method of frosting cookies with royal white icing. My birthday gift in August was new piping bags, meringue powder and a rainbow of Wilton icing dyes - 12 colors to match every holiday whim.

Cookie Cutter Find

2011-12-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

What a find. All these cookie cutters for just 25 cents - no joke! I was at a trusty church rummage sale and I noticed that they had bagged antique cookie cutters into random sets. I saw this grouping and thought: a giant turkey (that would make a great crust cut out to bake on top of a pumpkin pie), Texas (where relatives live), a cow (my mom loves cows) - Sold!

I'm sure by now you know about my cookie cutter collection - I am pushing 275! I love them and my collection keeps growing. I arrived home last week to find a padded envelope in my mailbox. My dear friend, Barb, found an antique "Santa" cookie cutter that she knew I had to have. Isn't that the nicest thing ever? Thank you, Barb. 276

Cranberry Jello

2011-12-03T22:24:00.000-05:00

My go-to J-ello recipe at the holidays is the "cranberry-cream cheese mold" on the Kraft foods website. You can mold it in a Bundt pan for a decorative presentation (so pretty!) and it always goes quick on a holiday buffet. A tip: make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature when you beat it into the jello, otherwise the two ingredients won't blend as easily.

Why am I showing you a box of cranberry Jell-O? Because they sell out this time of year. If you are at all thinking about giving this recipe a try, buy the Jell-O when you see it at the store. The next time you shop, it may be out of stock. Just a friendly tip from a Jell-O devotee.

Advent By Candlelight

2011-12-02T22:25:00.000-05:00

Do you love it? My mom and I were hosting a table for Advent By Candlelight at our church one year and she came up with idea to spray pineapples gold and then insert pearl-tipped pins into the fruit in a pattern. We decorated 3 pineapples that way and used them as a centerpiece on our table. It was gorgeous!

To me, the gilded pineapples came to represent the crowns of the three kings. If you want to try this project yourself, timing is everything. Fresh pineapples will last about a week once they are sprayed and decorated - be sure to pick pineapples that are firm, not soft. We kept our masterpieces in a box (out of reach of any animals) in our garage where it was cold until it was time to display them. We used gold spray paint and pearl-tipped pins straight pins from the craft store.

Advent Calendars

2011-12-01T10:27:00.000-05:00

Today is the day! It is December 1st and it's time to open Door #1 on your advent calendar.

As an "Architect of Delight," I believe in looking for beauty in everyday moments. Anticipation is a big part of enjoying a wonderful life...not only do you enjoy what you are looking forward to when it happens, you also savor the planning and preparation involved in getting there.

Advent calendars are a perfect example of this. They give you a little lift every day, inspiring you to enjoy all the days leading up to the glorious celebration of Christmas.

Do you have an advent calendar? I saw some cute ones at a local bookstore last night. If you are willing to miss the first few days of "window opening," I encourage you to look at the beautiful selection available online at Blumchen.

Swedish Christmas Fair

2011-11-28T12:14:00.000-05:00

This gorgeous open face sandwich was my lunch last year at our local Swedish Christmas Fair. The ladies took a piece of homemade bread and topped it with cold beet relish, Swedish meatballs, fresh parsley and cucumber. Yum-yum-yum.

Am I Swedish? Nope. Have I ever had this kind of sandwich before? No, I haven't, but I loved it. This post is dedicated to encouraging you to explore your neighborhood and participate in the fun holiday events that are open to the community. A tree lighting? Gift show? Historic Holiday Tea? You never know who you will meet or what kind of interesting experiences you can have. Make this holiday season special by attending a new event in your area.

Check your local paper and look online for holiday events.

Sugarland

2011-11-26T23:14:00.000-05:00

Holiday baking season is here and you will be amazed at the selection of sprinkles, sugars and jimmies at your local cake and candy supply store. I was taken to this marvelous "sugarland" called Heinrich's Decorating Nook by my friend Allison. She makes a run here every November to get the chocolate and peppermint crunch she needs for her holiday candy making. When she mentioned her pilgrimage to me, I jumped at the chance to go with her and see this sugar supply store for myself. Now I am a part of her annual trip and last week was my 5th year going with her. We wander up and down every aisle and have a wonderful time imagining all the varieties of candy we could make. In the end we always settle on our now-famous toffee. December 18th is the big day this year and I am really looking forward to having her over for a fun day of toffee making.

Want to find your own sugarland? Google: "(Your Town), cake decorating" and you will see a list of options in your area. You won't be disappointed - the selection is greater and the prices are better than any grocery (or craft) store where you might be tempted to shop for cake and candy decorations. Have some fun!

Holiday Sweets

2011-11-25T21:34:00.000-05:00

If only I could buy my holiday sweets here! I was out today shopping for mints and candies to set around in dishes around the house this season, and my mind kept going back to Fortnum Mason. They have the prettiest windows in London and this delightful display of sweets and treats had me swooning on the sidewalk.

What do I really want for Christmas? Fortnum Mason has music box cookie tin that plays "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and is filled with 3 kinds of cookies. Doesn't that sound darling?

I've always loved music boxes and for a while now I have wanted to take a cigar box and turn it into a music box. Since I'm not going to London anytime soon, maybe this should be my first project in 2012.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T10:59:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

Be sure to take lots of pictures today - friends and family, the big meal, the centerpiece. Even if the photos never leave your computer (or phone), years from now you will look back on them with love.

*this photograph is of a kooky gourd display at the Country Living Fair. The class was about using nature to inspire your table displays. I love the pale shades.

Cookie Walk

2011-11-23T21:40:00.000-05:00

I'm in charge of recruiting members of our congregation to bake cookies for our church's annual Cookie Walk. Do you like my super cute sign up sheet? I used photographs from my holiday magazines to make a mouth-watering display.

Have you ever been to a Cookie Walk? I think they are really fun. A Cookie Walk is a fundraiser that sells homemade cookies during the holidays. The cookies are displayed on trays and people stroll along “the walk” shopping for cookies. A gloved committee member places the cookies as they are selected into the shopper’s box. At the end of the walk, cookies are weighed and sold by the pound. It's genius!

The congregation comes together to bake their personal favorites (I love when someone tells me about their signature cookie); Shoppers get delicious homemade cookies during the holidays and the church makes a little money. Win-win-win.

This is a photo of the cookies I made for last year's cookie walk (10 dozen, with the help of my niece and parents!). They sold out quick! This year I am making my famous gingerbread men.

Shining Silver

2011-11-22T20:51:00.002-05:00

Are you doing a little late-night silver polishing in anticipation of the holidays? Years ago a friend talked me into using Nevr-Dull (a treated cotton wadding found in auto supply stores and Walmart) to polish my silver. She swore by it and I fell under the spell of easy polishing.

It worked so well (and so fast!) that I put all fears of damaging my silver aside in lieu of getting the job done. Since then, I have been relieved to hear many silver care experts touting the wonders of Nevr-Dull. You can hear it for yourself from the restoration experts at Center Art Studio.

If your silver is looking gold, do yourself a favor and get a tin of Nevr-Dull.

Sharing Recipes

2011-11-21T09:57:00.001-05:00

I want to direct you to some favorite recipes of mine...along the right side of the blog margin called "Anne Reeves' Favorite Recipes.

The Chocolate Acorns, Pumpkin Cups, Roasted Butternut Squash, Cranberry Glogg (plus breakfast ideas: Baked Pecan French Toast and Baked Tomato Cups) are all perfect for entertaining this time of year.

My kitchen is your kitchen and I hope these recipes can enhance your holidays. xo Anne

Chips and Ships

2011-11-19T08:36:00.000-05:00

The Pilgrims liked cheese dip, right? In our version of American history they did. Every year at Thanksgiving, I can't resist making a "Mayflower" for the appetizer table to hold our chips.

I bought this boat basket by Longaberger back in 2002, and although it was expensive, I love it. I use it in the Summer for parties at the cottage and every November it quickly converts to the great ship that carried the Pilgrims to our shores. The link above is to an eBay page where I found this basket still for sale, if you are interested.

As for constructing the Mayflower, I place an apple in the boat (there is a plastic basket liner that keeps things clean) and spear it with a wooden skewer. I cut 2 paper sails (one smaller than the other) and make a flag for the top. I also make a small paper "Mayflower" banner that I tie with string across the back - so cute!

I think I saw the idea for making a Mayflower in a Martha Stewart issue of old, and I have been doing it ever since. Just about any oblong shape tray or bowl could replicate a boat. Come on, you know you want to.

Vintage Postcard Pillow

2011-11-18T21:25:00.000-05:00

I'm working on a project that I can use to liven up the living room this Winter, once the holiday decorations are all put away. January can be so quiet and gray - I thought that this scene would add an air of mystery and elegance. And when finished it should be about 6 x 9 inches - the perfect size to put on my lap and rest my book on when I'm reading.

I found this lovely vintage postcard at an antique store and I am going to print it on a special fabric sheet (8.5 x 11) by June Tailor and sew it into a small accent pillow for a chair.

If I turns out as well as I think it will, I'll add it to my Etsy store in late January. What do you think?

Royal Wedding Mug

2011-11-17T19:16:00.000-05:00

My cousin Jennifer in Germany saved the day! She remembers all too well my love of Princess Diana and when she realized that her husband was taking a trip to London just weeks before the Royal Wedding, she offered that he could pick up a souvenir for me.

The one thing I was desperate to have from William's wedding was something porcelain with the couple's photo and the wedding date. I have mugs and plates from Diana's engagement, wedding and the birth of William, so I needed another piece of china to continue to my collection.

I absolutely love it! Her husband picked out the perfect mug and Jennifer carefully carried it back to the US on her latest trip! I am so grateful for their thoughtfulness and care. And included with the mug was a collection of newspaper clipping (in German) for me to keep, as well. So nice!

Jennifer and Michael - thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Belgian Lace Roll Basket

2011-11-16T10:12:00.000-05:00

Say that five times fast: Belgian Lace Roll Basket (ha!). But I can't think of any other way to describe it.

This beautiful addition to any holiday table was a gift from my husband when he was on assignment in Europe. He went on a day trip to Bruges, Belgium and described it as "Chocolate shop, Lace shop, Hot Waffles - repeat." He loved it, actually and climbed the 366 steps to view the city from the Belfry Tower.

Somewhere between the tower and a waffle, he wandered into a lace shop looking for a gift for me and saw the grandmother/shopkeeper who makes these collapsible roll baskets. She was working on one when he entered the shop and bought one on the spot. When not in use, the lace lays flat like a doily. But tie the opposite ribbons together and a 3-dimensional structure appears before your eyes - each compartment perfect for a dinner roll. Does he know me or what?

Delight 2012 Calendar

2011-11-14T17:10:00.004-05:00

By popular demand, I have made a "Moments of Delight" calendar for 2012. You can order it from Zazzle: 2012 Moments of Delight calendar and have it in time for holiday gift giving. At $21, I hope it is the perfect price point for meaningful gift giving to teachers, friends and neighbors. Please note that there is a discount for ordering multiple copies.

These are some of the images in the calendar. I've chosen these to put the spotlight on the delight in everyday life.

I will feature my Paris calendar tomorrow. You can find info in the blog sidebar, as well.

Pastries in Paris

2011-11-12T19:50:00.000-05:00

I've written a gorgeous 120-page book on Paris with a photo and story on every page. Because of my book, people always ask me: "What's your favorite thing about Paris?" Since the list of what I love about Paris is long, I usually tell them favorites from a couple different categories:

Favorite Pastry
Favorite Time of Day
Favorite Spot in a Museum
Favorite Garden
Favorite Gift to bring friends

This approach gives them something to think about, has them look at Paris in different way and often ends in a sale of my book because they realize that there is simply too much to remember - which is why I needed to put it all in a book in the first place! A very fun cycle, don't you think?

All of this has me thinking about Paris even more, so today I am spotlighting my favorite pastries in Paris - where and how to eat them.

Favorite Formal Pastry - the pink Ispahan (far left) at Laduree. Dine indoors on a pale green paper-covered table on the Champs-Elysee. The ispahan is pink, you get to eat a real rose petal, the meringue is crunchy sweet and the cream center and fresh raspberries are divine.

Favorite Macaroon - a 6-piece assortment from Pierre Herme. Eat them on a nearby bench at Place St Sulpice.

Favorite Millefeuille - at a table with friends at Angelina's on Rue de Rivoli

Favorite Treat to eat out of a bag while you walk: Financier from Laduree - a small rectangular or almond shaped (2 bite) cake that holds it's shape, as a resiliant sponge texture and a delicate almond flavor

Favorite Cookie: a box of Punitions from Poilane bakery is full of tiny fluted butter cookies that are perfect with tea in the courtyard of your hotel.

The Joy of Making

2011-11-11T19:11:00.001-05:00

I had the most wonderful time making this little village with my tween niece. I picked her up after school, gave her a snack and offered her the option of "working on a project" with me since she didn't have much homework.

I had built two of the buildings that morning, so she could see where we were headed and as I started to fold and bend and glue the paper kit, she munched on her snack. It wasn't long before she was completely entranced and ready to help me expand the town. We cooed over the pastel barn; we congratulated ourselves when we figured out how to make the bell hang (from sewing thread) in the church bell tower. It was so much fun.

I would say our best moment was when, after fumbling with tree construction, we gave in and read the directions and realized that the tree branches were supposed to be held aloft and apart on cinnamon stick trunks. Thank heaven I have a well-stocked pantry! I pulled out a jar of cinnamon sticks and the trees went together quickly. What I liked about this moment was that it showed her that whoever planned this darling paper village was creative and willing to do something ridiculous in the name of making it cute. A cinnamon stick is the perfect trunk. It looks like wood, is the right scale and it smells wonderful.
I can imagine that the person who designed this village had to stand behind this idea in a corporate office somewhere. "But cinnamon sticks aren't a household item," they would tell her. "It's too much to ask of the crafter to buy additional items." etc. But the designer persevered and they were right.
If it's cute, it is always worth the effort.

Do you want to make a darling village like this? It is a Swell Noel Village Kit that you can order online. Make a little magic after school.

Beach Glass

2011-11-10T09:51:00.000-05:00

My dear friend, Corinne, is loving her new life in Hawaii. The "vacation" weather every day has spurred a new hobby for her. A daily walk on the beach combing for beach glass. Doesn't that sound wonderfully relaxing?

A package arrived in the mail the other day - a bubble wrapped bag of beach glass! She knows that I am a crafter and has challenged me to "make something cute."

Also tucked in the envelope was a delicate bracelet made of green Swarovski crystals surrounding a beautiful piece of green sea glass! Now that she has a Dremel (drill attachment) that can drill a hole in glass, her foray into jewelry making has begun! What a wonderful thing.

I am going to visit her in Honolulu this Winter (yea!) and I can't wait to see what she creates between now and then. Thank you, Corinne, for your beautiful gift from the sea and I'll see you soon!

Old Fashioned Rolling Pins

2011-11-09T09:13:00.000-05:00

I saw this box of antique rolling pins for sale at the Country Living Fair and I had to take a picture. I can't help but feel a little sentimental for all the grandmothers that relied on these tools to make their house a home. Look at how worn the handles are - that is proof of love, if I ever saw it.

I treasure my grandmother's rolling pin - it has been missing one handle since before I was born, but we still used it every December to make sugar cookies for the family. You can see it and get Nama's cookie recipe here.

I was given a fancy-schmancy rolling pin a few years ago and it works like a dream. But I always get out Nama's rolling pin too. It's been part of my holiday baking and it wouldn't be the same in the kitchen without it.

Imagining an Escape

2011-11-08T11:40:00.001-05:00

Last year we were able to sneak up north for a few days in November. I absolutely love a cold Fall day on the shores of Lake Michigan. Look at the colors I captured! I love the steep drop off and how the sand dune is even with the horizon on the right. The sand at Sleeping Bear Dunes was the color of wheat and the stormy sky told us to enjoy it quick because rain was coming.

We went home and built a wood fire in the fireplace, I did some knitting and made a batch of soup. In the Summertime, the area is jam packed with visitors and this sand dune would be covered with enthusiastic climbers. But when the cold days of November come, the peninsula feels deserted and the color palette changes completely.

The calendar won't allow a trip up north this month, so I am imagining "being there" with this beautiful photo, just like you are. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was voted Good Morning America's Most Beautiful Places this year and now you can see why - it's just as pretty when there is no one for miles.

Decorating with Plastic and Wood

2011-11-07T09:35:00.001-05:00

This might not be what you think of when designers refer to mixing plastic and wood pieces in your home - but why not? This post is to show you that "lighthearted" decorating touches don't have to look kitschy.

The new stars of the dining room are three plastic deer that I found at an antique show this weekend. They have poise, grace and look amazing with the natural tones of my cherry dining room set.

The theme is not woodland. I don't have a deer embroidered on every napkin. I just happened to see this family and knew I would never find them again if I didn't buy them on the spot. When I got home, it was clear that they could take center stage in the dining room.

Something plastic and inexpensive can look nothing short of beautiful when displayed in the right spot.

The fun part? I picked up the mother deer and her fawn ($5 for the pair) and as she was wrapping them, the dealer told me that she had broken the antlers on the buck that morning. Oh no! I would have loved to have the father too, I told her. To which she proceeded to rummage under her table until she pulled him out and said, "You can have him."

To her, he lost all of his value because of a few broken points. But to me, keeping the family together is priceless.

Christmas Tree in Macy's Walnut Room

2011-11-05T23:13:00.000-04:00

Christmas has come to Chicago! I wish I could have been there to see the 104th tree lighting ceremony that kicks off the holiday season on State Street in Chicago. I was there in 2007 (see above) when Martha Stewart flipped the switch on this magnificent tree. It is a Christmas memory that I cherish.

Today, Bill and Giuliani Rancic and a child invited by the "Make A Wish" foundation lit the 45-foot tree in Macy's famous Walnut Room. I wish that I could have been there. A beautiful tree, some gingerbread cake and a whole lot of Christmas spirit.

I will do my best to salute Thanksgiving and all the glorious food and family that goes along with it, but the lights and baubles of Christmas have certainly turned my head.

If you are in Chicago, try to visit Macy's on State Street - the decorations and window displays are worth the trip! And if you can arrange to have a meal in The Walnut Room, you can dine next to the prettiest tree in town.

Want to see something fun? I found this time-lapsed video (only 1 minute long) of this year's massive tree being constructed. Love it!

Art of Dining

2011-11-04T22:25:00.001-04:00

I love to bring the world a "Moment of Delight." You never quite know what topic I will blog about - food, art, travel, crafts. Hopefully by now you can count on me to show you something that is beautiful and interesting.

Today I am putting the spotlight on an interactive exhibit at the Detroit Institute of Arts called "The Art of Dining." It has been over a year since I visited, but I am sure that it is a permanent part of the collection and I look forward to seeing it again when I visit the museum this Winter.

In the gallery of eighteenth-century decorative arts, there is a table and four chairs. Museum visitors are encourage to take a seat and "participate" in a formal dinner that is projected on the table (that serves as a video projection screen). Some of the French porcelain serving pieces and silver on display in the cases in the galley, were used to make this formal dinner footage. Isn't that neat?

The video is on a loop and begins with empty plates and clean silverware. As the meal progresses, you see the "arm" of the dinner guest (dressed in period costume) reaching for food and interacting with the table.

Words appear on the screen periodically to define the type of food served at this formal dinner - you can see (above) "Steamed Stuffed Artichokes in Red Pepper Sauce." All the while, observers at the table hear the clinking of silver on dishes and the light banter of dinner conversation in French. I absolutely loved it.

Can you see that now the stuffed artichoke is on the plate? He was reaching for it in the photo above.

At the end, I slid over to another chair. I wanted you to see what it looked like to be a woman with a puffy sleeve reaching for miniature cakes. So pretty!

I found this article online from when "The Art of Dining" interactive installation opened and amazingly, you can click a short video on the link and see this table in action. I do encourage you to see it. What you can see clearly in the video is that the silver showpiece in the center, is on display behind glass right next to the table.

French Porcelain is art indeed.

Paper Touches

2011-11-03T22:18:00.001-04:00

Scrapbookers...is your paper stash living up to it's potential? I want to show you a few simple things I have done with paper to make my power room look finished.

I started by building a look around a Bella "Capri Olive and Lemonwood" candle (from Target) that comes in a paper-covered tin - it looks great and smells fresh and wonderful. You could ceratinly rim your own tin with 2-coordinating papers and it would look darling! Go a step further and make a simple candle for it with a kit from the craft store.

Long ago, I decoupaged two images from a set of Cavallini Decorative Labels- Paris onto an empty jam jar. One side features the Eiffel Tower and on the other side I chose this interesting crest. By facing the crest side out and filling the vase with fresh variegated sage leaves and green envy zinnias, I am echoing the tan and green tones in the candle. Cute, eh?

My final touch was to glue scrapbook paper in the same tones (a bit like this) to an empty matchbox with craft glue. For a perfect fit, trim the excess paper off with an Xacto knife. I placed a "gem" sticker on top to finish the look. Now the candle has some matches and the whole look makes sense.

I hope this inspires you to glue/decoupage paper to vases and matchbooks to make a few quick and easy design elements for your home.

Peanut Butter Mousse Pie

2011-11-02T11:23:00.000-04:00

My oh my, you must try this peanut butter pie. But it is so rich, I recommend a slice half this size. In fact, you may want to rework this recipe and make it as individual servings in a mini-muffin pan - that amount would satisfy any sweet tooth.

I love Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and although I avoided buying and gorging on them for Halloween, I caved and made this pie instead. Nice.

Peanut Butter Mousse Pie

8 oz cream cheese, room temp
1 1/2 cups chunky peanut butter1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3-4 Tablespoons milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 pre-made Oreo cookie crust
3 oz bittersweet chocolate bar (I used IKEA)
1/2 cup heavy cream

Gently fold back the metal rim of the pre-made Oreo crust. Place your open hand onto the plastic liner for support and flip the crust over so that the bottom of the metal tin is on top. Keeping it upside-down in your hand, remove the tin pan. You will have the crust resting upside-down on the plastic lid. Place a small glass pie plate on top of the crust, then flip back so that the crust is in the glass pie plate. Good job. (Or crumble the crust and press into the bottom of individual mini-muffin tins - as suggested for portion control)

In a mixing bowl, cream together the cream cheese, peanut butter, powdered sugar and milk. In a separate bowl (using the whipping attachment), whip cream until medium peaks. Fold into peanut butter mixture.

Fill the crust with the peanut butter mixture and smooth. Place uncovered in freezer for 3 hours.

Before you remove the pie after freezing, make a ganache coating. Break up the chocolate bar into a small empty metal saucepan. Heat the 1/2 cup heavy cream in another saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Pour the hot cream over the broken chocolate bar and whisk until smooth and melted. Remove the pie from the freezer and immediately pour the chocolate ganache over the pie, completely covering the surface. Return pie to the freezer for 30 minutes to allow the ganache to set.

Remove from freezer, cut (small slivers!) and serve to an adoring crowd.

Then eat fruit for dessert the rest of the week. Love, Anne

Terra Cotta Pots

2011-11-01T23:29:00.000-04:00

I kid you not, I was drawn to this display of pots like it was a bouquet of flowers or plate of cookies. I was at a country fair and these matching Terra cotta pots were for sale in rows in an open basket. I didn't buy any, not for lack of ideas of what to do with them, but mostly because the weight of these pots was not conducive to a day of shopping.

That didn't stop me from day dreaming about them, though. I imagined them in a kitchen window, with a different herb in every pot. I thought they would look darling at Christmastime, 3 tiny boxwood "Christmas" trees displayed on the mantle of a fireplace. I'd tie a red and white check ribbon around each rim.

Enjoying the beauty of every day things doesn't mean you always have to buy everything you love. Sometimes giving yourself permission to imagine the possibilities is enough. What would you put in these beautiful pots?

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T16:25:00.000-04:00

The year I moved into this neighborhood, I invited to a baby shower for a woman on the next street a few days after Halloween. Since the neighborhood was new construction, we all moved in at approximately the same time and were "new neighbors."

I thought that a baby shower was a perfect way for us to get to know each other. I remember talking to some of the women that night and saying that I had really "screwed up" on Halloween. They seemed confused and asked "What does that mean?"

I exclaimed, "I forgot to hold back any Mounds!"

The next day, my doorbell rang and my neighbor Mona was standing there with a small Ziploc bag full of Mounds. I have loved living here ever since.

Wishing you a Happy Halloween!

Map of Paris tray

2011-10-27T11:58:00.002-04:00

Paris has been on my mind, so naturally it is coming out in my crafting! Lately I have been experimenting with decoupage (the art of using glue to attach paper images to an object) and I think this simple version is actually my favorite. Traditionally, decoupaged items have several layers of images all working together. On my tray, I let the "variety" of images come from the icons on map itself.

This decorative tray is made with only 3 items - plate, map, glue. I have spread a thin layer of decoupage medium (in this case, Hard Coat Mod Podge) on the bottom of a square glass plate and then gently placed onto the glue (right side down against the glue) a paper map of Paris. Once the map is in place, I smoothed the bubbles out with my fingers and then I trimmed away the excess paper (along the edges of the plate) with scissors.

Essentially, the map is glued to the bottom of the plate and is visible through the glass. I love this because it allows the glass plate to remain "food safe," because the glue is on the underside of the plate. I'll have to hand wash it, of course, and keep water away from the map side, but that's okay. When I get a chance, I am going to glue a piece of black felt to the back of the plate. This will cover the back of the map and give the plate a professional finish.

Now I can "stroll along the Seine," in my own living room.

Chalkware Sheep

2011-10-26T20:43:00.000-04:00

Baa! I found a flock of sheep!

I have been thinking about the nature of personal collections lately. The idea that often people are known for loving a particular object, place (Paris!) or animal and collect items that are in that shape or have that image on them.

When I was in second grade, my teacher loved owls. She wore owl pins to school, had owl pictures on the wall and, of course, a cartoon owl on a mug on her desk. When we went to her apartment for dinner (Yes, she invited 4 students at a time to dine at her house! For second grade, we felt very grown up.), I was blown away by her virtual sanctuary of owl collectibles. I had never seen anything like it.

A few weeks ago, I bought these chalkware sheep at our church's rummage sale. They are antique and since I have an affinity for sheep (remember my desire to photograph them in England?) , I had to get them. While I was wandering the sale, I noticed quite a few other objects in the sheep motif and bought a framed photo of sheep from the 1920s.

I knew that a friend at church had been packing up her house, retiring and moving down south, so I went out on a limb and asked her, "I bought some darling chalkware sheep - could you have given them to the sale? And a vintage print. It seemed like someone had donated a collection."

You can call me Nancy Drew, because they were, in fact, hers! It was wonderful to be able to tell her that they had gone to a good home. She was so happy to hear that I like sheep that she entrusted me with the rest of her tabletop sheep collection! It was very sweet of her to pass these items along to me. They were not pieces she wanted to take with her; they were things that she had loved, but that now it was time for her to move on. I still don't collect sheep, but I feel honored to be able to absorb her collection and ease her transition to a new life down South.

Which brings me back to collecting. Do you have a plan to pass your treasures along? Would a library treasure your historic map collection? Would a historical society like your quilts? I haven't figured out what I will do with my collections (everything from vintage ornaments to paper houses), all I want is for them to continue to bring delight.

Make a Display Stand

2011-10-25T10:41:00.002-04:00

I wanted to highlight the pedestal display stand that I made, but I think my turkey cookie cutter is stealing the show!

My new weakness is attending rummage sales. A suburban-version of "picking," I have really found some treasures lately. An entire bag of antique cookie cutters was just 25 cents. I collect cookie cutters, as you know, and I couldn't turn down this grouping that included a cow, horse and now regal turkey.

When I was in the kitchen adding the book page fringe to my cake plate, I noticed how "at home" the tin cookie cutters looked with this color palate. I knew that I would display them here before the glue was dry.

Okay, onto the cake plate. I was inspired to make my own from an article I saw in Family Circle - their display stand was black with decoupaged Halloween paper. But I like what I saw and tweaked it for my style.

2-tier Display Stand

2 unfinished wooden plates (12" and 13")
1 unfinished wooden candlestick
1 inexpensive wooden embroidery hoop
a bottle of acrylic paint (Martha Stewart craft paint at Michael's Craft in "Wet Cement")
a bottle of decoupage medium
a book you can craft with
scissors
Xacto knife or rotary blade
Scalloped rotary blade
a bottle of Sobo craft glue
small adhesive felt pads/circles

Use Elmer's wood glue to attach one embroidery hoop (the piece without the metal) to the center of the bottom of the larger plate. This raises the plate off the surface and allows room for the fringe.

Use wood glue to glue the bottom of the candlestick to the center of the top of the larger plate. When it is dry, put wood glue on top of the candlestick and center the bottom of the smaller plate on top of it. (Both plates should be facing up.) Allow to dry.

Paint all of the exposed wood (although I skipped the hoop and bottom of largest plate - no one will see it). Allow to dry.

Coat all of the painted areas with a thin coat of decoupage medium. This gives your display stand a more finished (and less chalky) appearance. Allow to dry.

Cut (1 inch wide x 6 inches long) strips from an old book, by placing a ruler along the page and running an Xacto knife or rolling blade (be careful!) through several pages at once. Trim off the inch or so of blank paper that was the book margin on each end.

Run a scalloped rotary cutter along one side (of the 6 inch long strips) to create a wavy line. Use scissors to cut short vertical snips to make the strip fringe. Glue the uncut edge (above the fringe) to the edge of the smaller plate. Glue the strips of fringe around the plate with Sobo or craft glue, overlapping the ends to create a seamless look.

Make another set of fringed strips for the larger bottom plate, but make the strips about 1/2 as wide. So these strips should be 1/2 inch wide and 6 inches long. Scallop, fringe and glue as above.

Place a few adhesive felt pads on the bottom of the embroidery hoop to prevent scratching your table.

Enjoy!

Blenheim Palace Mineral Water

2011-10-24T23:15:00.001-04:00

It was my first meal in London and I was already asking for favors. I thought that bottled water was a smart choice as I transitioned to a different time zone etc., so I ordered a big bottle. Look what they brought me! A beautiful bottle of mineral water that was "drawn from the aquifer within Blenheim Palace."

Blenheim Palace was a destination on my trip! Only days after this, I planned to leave London and tour this palace turned museum. Remember when I had the place to myself?

I immediately told the waiter that I loved the statuesque bottle and asked if I could take it with me once it was empty. He winked and said, "Of course." On the label was an image of cherub riding a serpent in the calm colors of gray, khaki and aqua. I had to add it to my bottle collection. By the end of the trip I had two matching bottles and I plan to grow ivy in one of them for my kitchen.

Now tell me, wouldn't you want to take this bottle with you?

Tiny Bouquets

2011-10-22T10:51:00.000-04:00

Today's "moment of delight" is about placing one tiny bouquet in an unexpected place in your house. The result is always the same: surprise, appreciation and joy.

I tucked two "French Lace" roses (one open and one still a bud) into a little lidded jar and placed it on the shelf of the plate rack in my family room. The scent, the soft color, the fact that they were "fresh" all added so much to the room.

The next time you walk around your yard, see if you can't find a bloom or two to tuck in a small jar. Or see if the grocery store has a bouquet you can break up into a few smaller arrangements. Leave your mini-masterpiece next to the powder room sink or on a bookcase in front of all the books. I think the number of times you notice it (and like it) will surprise you. If your friends and family notice too? Consider it a bonus!

IngenuiTEA

2011-10-21T21:31:00.001-04:00

I love that I finally have an easy way to brew loose tea. I've tried using metal tea wands, filling paper tea bags, filtering tea through an over-the-cup strainer - you name it, I've tried it. Nothing works as easily and as well as the Adagio Teas 0 16-Ounce Ingenuitea Teapot.

You put loose tea into the chamber, pour hot water over the tea, close the lid and let it steep. When your tea is ready to drink, you pick up the IngenuiTEA by the handle and center it over your teacup. Resting it on the rim of the teacup creates pressure that dispenses the tea into your cup!

As you watch the level of tea in the teapot go down, you know that the tea is being filtered and pouring into your teacup below. What a marvelous invention. The only trick is estimating when to stop and lift the IngenuiTEA off the rim. If you leave it on too long, you may find your cup overflows, but you'll get the hang of it. I haven't spilled yet!

After a string of dark and damp afternoons, I am back to my ritual of afternoon tea. Thanks, IngenuiTEA, for making it easy to enjoy a hot cup of tea from Laduree in Paris!

Lovely Locket

2011-10-20T20:53:00.001-04:00

Sometimes jewelry making is as simple as keeping your eye out for the perfect piece!

I lucked out when I found this vintage-style locket in the jewelry department of the craft store. That's right, the craft store. Displayed as part of a series of lockets and charms.

Two metal doves, a mother-of-pearl looking locket rimmed with faux diamonds and pearls - what more could a girl want? I bought this pendant as is and hung it from a double strand of tiny champagne-colored pearlized beads. I had the tiny beads at home and all I had to do was string them on a wire and add a clasp to make this lovely locket look like an antique.

My suggestion is that you keep your eye out at craft stores, antique malls and everywhere in between. You never know when you'll find something special. Take a look at this pretty pendant - it could be the perfect touch.

Dreamy

2011-10-19T16:57:00.000-04:00

Every once in a while, life gives me very my own inspirational poster. It was just after 6pm on a cool August afternoon and although a sunset was out of the question (too cloudy), the streams of light shining down on Lake Michigan was a wonderful way to end the day.

Images like this do inspire me - it helps me to stop and look back on activities of the day. Did I accomplish enough? Am I making strides? What can I be sure to do tomorrow? It might sound stressful, but it helps me to meet my goals. What inspires you?

Caramel Apple Advancement

2011-10-18T09:51:00.000-04:00

Must. Have. Caramel Apples. There has been a BIG advancement in caramel apple making, have you heard? Kraft has started selling Caramel Bits. Tiny unwrapped balls of caramel ready for melting!

No more unwrapping those cellophane wrappers. No more static cling as you try to set them down. Just open the bag and pour them into the saucepan to melt. Genius.

And for those who want to follow my example, I have been skipping the melting step all together. I cut up a Honey Crisp apple, put the apple chunks in a bowl and pour the unmelted caramel bits around them like filling a moat. Then as I snack, I eat a slice of apple, pop a few caramel bits in my mouth. Repeat. No fuss, no muss, but still all the caramel apple taste that I want in October. Thank you, Kraft!

Donating Dolls

2011-10-17T20:12:00.002-04:00

I think every little girl should have a new doll at the holidays, don't you?

My mom and I are volunteers for the Detroit Goodfellows Doll Program. Each December since 1924, the Goodfellows have coordinated the volunteers and distribution of over 12,000 dolls to needy children in metro Detroit.

The dolls are mailed to us in the Spring, then we spend the Summer scouring local shops for pretty clothes and accessories. Here are the girls, all dressed and ready to be loved.

If you are interested in supporting this program, registration usually begins in March and the distribution of dolls to volunteers begins in May/June. I will re-post this blog in March to remind you to sign up.

I am so happy to have this opportunity to bring delight to some little girls.

Round Hay Bales

2011-10-15T11:00:00.001-04:00

Every year from May-September, I am "on the road" a lot driving between metro Detroit and the cottage. It takes 5 hours to cross our great state and get "up north." I actually love the drive - the scenery is beautiful and it is a wonderful time for uninterrupted conversations.

When I was young, seeing small rectangular hay bales on Michigan farms was the norm. Then in my twenties, I started seeing the occasional round hay bale and I fell for their smooth, tight shape. As we drove up north, I would keep my eye out and it would feel like a bonus if I noticed one.

Nowadays, I see round hale bales everywhere. The old farm equipment must have worn out and the farms must have opted for the newer shape. I love it, of course, and am still happy when I see a stack. I pulled onto the shoulder to take this beautiful farm scene. I hope you can feel the breeze and smell the freshly cut hay.

Missoni 3 Piece Tray

2011-10-14T08:57:00.003-04:00

Acorns and Arrows. The table in my entryway has a lovely Native American feel thanks to my Missoni For Target 3-piece tray.

What I like about this piece is that it is made of ceramic. Certainly substantial enough to serve food on a Thanksgiving table or cocktail party buffet.

And as I was describing it to someone, I realized that the colors are: black, white, taupe, caramel and...well...acorn! Look how perfectly these real acorns match the softer hued stripe.

If I hadn't been so rushed (I was part of the early morning Missoni For Target sell-out), I'm not sure that I would have chosen a piece with a pattern this bold. But the fact that it was made & sold in 3 pieces spoke to me and I just didn't want to miss out. I felt that my white (with touches of black and green and brown) living room could support it, and I was right!

By keeping this knock out on the front table (just behind where this photo was taken), your eye has a chance to take in the pattern on the white table and see the colors reinforced in the room behind it. Can you see how it would work? I love it.

Ice Cream Balls

2011-10-12T19:31:00.004-04:00

Two memories collided and the result is this party-worthy ice cream ball. When I was in high school, my best friend's brother had a signature dessert that he would make for the family. He would roll large scoops of vanilla ice cream in chopped peanuts and then freeze them. When it was time for dessert, he'd serve each ice cream ball in a sundae dish doused with chocolate sauce. I remember that the adults had the option of a splash of Creme de Menthe liquor before the chocolate drizzle, but it never tempted me. I just wanted as much chocolate syrup as he would allow. It was delicious - cold and nutty and creamy. Whenever the stars and moons aligned and I was "staying for dinner" the same night he happened to be making ice cream balls, I rejoiced.

Years later as an adult, I visited The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. This historic hotel, built in 1887, was the location for one of my favorite movies, Somewhere In Time. Have you see it? It's pure magic.

One of the Grand Hotel's signature desserts is the "Grand Pecan Ball." Vanilla ice cream rolled in chopped pecans and topped with chocolate sauce. I must say, the pecans elevate the dish. It was served after dinner in the formal dining room on a china plate with a tiny pitcher of chocolate sauce.

So I have merged these two memories (the chopped peanuts from my friend's bother and the formal serving of the Grand Hotel) and am urging you to give it a try. The nuts create a crust around the ice cream and it is delicious!

Are you thinking about Thanksgiving? So many of us have multiple holiday meals that week with different family and friends. I'd like to suggest caramel or pumpkin ice cream (buy a carton at the store) rolled in pecans. It could hit the spot and be nice for a "we had pie last night" meal.

Paris: Delight in the City of Light note

2011-10-11T10:32:00.001-04:00

You can only imagine how happy I was to receive this note! My friend had given my book (Paris: Delight in the City of Light) to one of her colleagues as a gift to celebrate an upcoming mother/daughter trip to Paris.

The note is from her colleague to me saying how much fun she had in Paris and how my suggestions enhanced her trip. Magnifique! She even included a tea bag (Le Melange Fauchon blend) from Fauchon for me to enjoy - isn't that the nicest thing! I am going to drink it today and savour a little bit of Paris myself.

What made this note so special was the mind-blowing line "On the flight over, we passed your book through the plane." I think my heart stopped. Can you think of anything more gratifying for an author/photographer than to hear that a plane full of people flying to Paris, had the chance to be inspired by my book? I have a pretty good imagination, but I never thought of this.

Thank you, dear reader, for letting me know how much you enjoyed Paris: Delight in the City of Light!

Tissue Paper Bouquet

2011-10-10T22:21:00.000-04:00

I wanted a bouquet of flowers that would last. And last. This pretty pink arrangement looks as beautiful as the day I brought it to the hospital. All thanks to Martha Stewart and her tissue paper flower machine.

Yes, I said machine. Years ago I bought a paper flower crafting tool from the Martha Stewart Catalog For Living. It must have been at least ten years ago now, I can't even find an example of it to show you on the web!

With this tool, I simply lay a small stack of tissue paper on the grid lines, close the arm and slowly pull the lever down. The result is perfectly folded sheets of tissue paper that can be pinched in the middle with a ribbon tie and then fluffed into flowers. Love it!

I did find these paper flower instructions on the Martha Stewart website. You can follow these steps and get the same effect as mine. To get the "Dahlia" look of the petals (flower, shown in front), cut a "V" in the end of the folded tissue stack before fluffing. To get the look of a peony, leave the stack uncut and simply fluff.

Then, to drive the nurses crazy, put your arrangement in a French lemonade bottle with a pink label and tie it with a grosgrain ribbon. This little beauty says "Get Well Soon!"

Pink Dishtowels

2011-10-08T11:04:00.000-04:00

I am pulling out my pink dish towels! The September issue of House Beautiful magazine has a photo of plaid dish towels that has inspired me to rummage through my cupboards.

The page is meant to send us out shopping for the latest super cute plaid dish towels. And I agree, they look beautiful. But what about the pretty ones we already own?

I realized that I have been in the wash/fold/use/repeat mode with my dish towels and while the mint and green ones I have been using are nice, I know that changing to this collection of pink towels will feel wonderful. Do you know what I mean?

It is time to use what I have and enjoy it all the while. I'm sure that you have some beautiful linens tucked away at your place. You bought them (or they were a gift to you) to use and enjoy. It's time.

Yarn Bombing

2011-10-07T21:07:00.001-04:00

Do you know about the crafty craze called "yarn bombing?" It is the act of decorating an object in a public space with a piece of knitting. The neat thing is that while it is technically graffiti, the knit pieces are non-permanent and easily removed without causing any damage. If no one objects, they can last for years. The intention of yarn bombing is to improve or add beauty to an otherwise sterile public environment.

I've read about this practice (also called a yarnstorm or yarnstorming) in knitting magazines for years, but had never seen one in person. Then one day this Summer, I left a shop in Traverse City and walked toward the curb. I passed this parking meter and immediately did a double-take. My mind hollered, "That's a yarn bomb!"

I must say, I approve. The whole concept is a bit like the smiley face icon of the 1970's. It popped up everywhere in the hopes of improving your mood.

Discovering of a yarn bomb has the same kind of result - somewhere between finding a missing puzzle piece and being in on a secret. Once you know about yarn bombs, when you notice one, you know exactly what it is: A knitter's attempt to improve the world.

And how can you do anything but smile?

Teacup Cupcakes

2011-10-06T20:15:00.004-04:00

Could there be anything on earth more perfect for me? I mean really, cupcake molds that look like teacups! I am in heaven.

My sister-in-law Susan found these Fred & Friends Teacup Cakes Cupcake Mold in Texas and mailed them to me for my birthday. Today I was my first chance to bake in them and they turned out great. I have already eaten the cupcake on the left and I can assure you that they bake up perfectly. I squeezed the sides a little bit and I could lift the cupcake right out - yum!

Since it is a weeknight, I used a box cake mix and tub of frosting to whip up this batch after dinner. Delish. And everything is better with pink pearl nonpareils, don't you think?

"I enjoy being a girl." Ha!

Tulip Time

2011-10-05T18:57:00.002-04:00

Tulips are proof that gardeners are organized and optimistic!

This time of year there is a chill in the air. The trees are changing from green to every imaginable shade of red, yellow and orange. The magazines are full of chili recipes. There is college football on television every Saturday. It is Fall and the cider mill beckons.

But we will not be distracted. Gardeners around the country are faithfully planning a spectacular Spring 2012. Fall is the time to plant Spring blooming bulbs: tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and then even more tulips. Just look at the sea of white tulips with delicate green markings (above) called "Spring Green." It makes me want to fill my beds with tulips!

My favorite collection of tulips is a pastel mix that says "Easter Bonnet" mix on the packaging. In life and lipsticks, it is all about the name. When I heard the phrase "Easter Bonnet" it was all over. I've found this collection in upscale garden centers (as well as the link I provided above), but shop early. All the other girls like the name too!

Fall Tablescapes

2011-10-04T21:31:00.000-04:00

It's all coming together. This collection of unusual pieces creates the prefect Fall tablescape - one that is beautiful and interesting.

I've told you about my love of cockscomb flowers...look at how I can showcase them in my knit vase. I knit the cover on circular needles to fit a coffee can!

I've talked about my set of commemorative tin plates from the Royal Collection. Each plate features a china design from a different time period. This particular plate is called "The Animal Plate." The central image is of a lion and the design is thought to have been created by Sevres and acquired by Louis XVI of France around 1790. It looks so formal and beautiful in my living room, yet is made of tin and is an inexpensive souvenir. Love it!

And of course, I was there when the Missoni for Target collection evaporated before my eyes...and now I get great satisfaction at how perfectly their glass votives (that I managed to get in my cart during the shop-tastrophy) compliment my overall look.

Yes, this is my favorite Fall tablescape yet.

Sweets in London

2011-10-03T21:59:00.000-04:00

Knowing that I love candy wrappers and vintage-style sweets, a friend insisted that I visit Tom's Deli in the Notting Hill area of London last year.

She was so right - I loved this place! I stood admiring this very display for a few beats too long and the clerk thought that something was wrong. Oh no, I assured him. Everything is perfect.

Pretty tins of mints. Chocolate bars. Candy canes. I was definitely in the right place. There is an indoor/outdoor cafe, lunches to-go, wines, cheeses. A foodie paradise. Thank you, Bettina, for showing me some British eye candy!

Liquid Nitrogen Milkshake

2011-09-30T19:39:00.000-04:00

Did you know that there has been a surge in a food trend based on molecular gastronomy?

It plays with cooking techniques and pushes the envelope with presentation, food consistency (for example, a liquid sauce served as a solid, like tapioca beads) and the use of chemistry to alter foods safely and creatively.

When I was in Atlanta, I jumped at the chance to have a milkshake made with liquid nitrogen at Richard Blais' Flip Burger Boutique!

I ordered a "Turtle with Candied Pecans" milkshake and in addition to being icy cold, it was delicious! The ice cream base and caramel swirl are poured into a thick glass. Then the waitress pours liquid nitrogen into the mixture and it foams and freezes on contact. So cool! The whipped cream and frozen pecans add silky and crunchy elements to the dessert.

Our waitress brought along an extra glass containing a bit of liquid nitrogen in it and we could see the clear contents bubbling and reacting. She put a paper napkin, long spoon and straw into that glass and a smoky ice fog rose from the glass and was trapped in the folds of the paper napkin when I pulled it out. It was interesting and beautiful. And it felt like the whole process was sponsored by Houdini.

Would you ever try something frozen with liquid nitrogen?

Signature Dish

2011-09-29T21:15:00.001-04:00

It was absolutely still. Can you imagine having the opportunity to sit in this Adirondack chair and just take in the view? It felt like a moose was going to walk out on cue. If you haven't been to Maine, be sure to put it on your list.

When I travelled to Bar Harbor, Maine with my friend Angie a few years ago, one of our travel goals was to make it to Jordan Pond House, a restaurant that is located in the middle of Acadia National Park. It has been in operation since the late 1800's and is famous for its popovers. We made it! The lawn of the restaurant (shown above) leads down to Jordan Pond and it is the epitome of peaceful.

You know that I love to travel and that I enjoy researching and planning my itinerary almost as much as the actual trip! Which brings me to signature dishes. When you read up on a famous local place/hotel/restaurant, take note of their specialties. And then order it when you get there! It's fun to participate in the history of a place and to be able to look back at your trip with an edible memory.

Maine was gorgeous and I had so many great experiences. But I will always remember "having popovers at Jordan Pond" with Angie, I just know I will.

Still Life

2011-09-28T08:16:00.001-04:00

Sometimes the prettiest vignettes aren't meant to be vignettes at all! I walked by this favorite flower arrangement of mine (I loved it so much, I took it with me when I drove to the cottage!) and noticed that the flowers, table, lamp and book nearby looked gorgeous together!

The book (The Art of Eating by M.F.K. Fisher) was on loan from the library, the flowers (Green Envy zinnias) were from the farmer's market and they "worked" in this room 200 miles from home.

My point is that design and decorating should ebb and flow just like your life does. Maybe it is time to clear the accessories from your living room (plants too!) and move things around a bit. Add a new pillow to pull out the brown in a painting, or add a kiwi green tea set to shift the color focus for a while.

If I can accidentally make a library book look this good, then I know you can too.

Cupcake Research

2011-09-27T12:03:00.002-04:00

When a friend comes into town, you suddenly have the perfect occasion for cupcakes! As a blogger and sugar-lover, people assume that I have been to all the sweet spots in town. For some reason, I hadn't been to Just Baked in Birmingham yet.

It was on my list of "must try desserts," for sure, so when Corinne was in town from Hawaii and asked where I wanted to go, I immediately suggested that we do some cupcake research. She was up for the challenge and we spent a lovely hour at Just Baked - sampling and smiling.

We chose to split a luscious Lemon Cupcake (filled with lemon curd!) and a Grumpy Cake, that has pillows of buttercream frosting dipped in a homemade chocolate ganache. I'm not sure how they arrived at the name, but I assure you, this cupcake left us far from grumpy.

Do you have a "bucket list" for sweets?

College Football

2011-09-26T21:38:00.000-04:00

And the Spartans of Michigan State rush onto the field in a whirl of smoke! It's all theatrics, of course, but it sure made the crowd roar!

We had bright sun, when the forecast was for rain.
We were able to get seats, when I was told that my section was "sold out."
Our team won, after a disappointing loss last week.

Yes, I'd say it was a pretty great day for college football. Thank you, Michigan State, I had a wonderful time!

Football Tailgate

2011-09-24T20:48:00.049-04:00

Everything tastes better outside! This Saturday is dedicated to Spartan football and a two-meal tailgate outdoors on Munn Field.

My niece (20) and nephew (18) go to my alma mater, Michigan State University, and our tradition is to meet them on campus for a family tailgate with my Dad, husband and my brother's family, when possible.

The moon and stars aligned and the day was perfect! We arrived at 9AM and got a great spot near the stadium to set up our tailgate. By 9:30, French Toast and breakfast sausages were hot off the grill. You can get my recipe for Outdoor French Toast here.

It was a bit cold and damp when we arrived and I was thankful for the "instant" MSU fleece scarves that I had made. I bought a yard and a quarter of fleece (similar to this pattern) and cut it into 3 long strips to make instant scarves. They looked great and added a necessary touch of green to our warm jackets. Later when the sun came out (no rain!), I was warm enough to show my spirit in a vintage Spartan sweatshirt and green beaded necklace.

It was a perfect day - full of football, family and french toast. Do you tailgate?