My Cozy Home

picture bonanza...

*** FYI, my email is having trouble - I'm so sorry if you are getting bounce back emails.  I can't even log into it :o(

I wish I had some inspiring 4th of July-related decorations to share with you, but I have not but one.  Seems like a decorating dilemma for me doesn't it.  An untapped decorating opportunity one might even say.  The above is a platter in my foyer on a chest of drawers.  I love that little nest - it's from Junebug Furniture & Designs.

This is a great urn that I found at Haupt Antiek Market in May.  I added a picture of my grandma Lillian in uniform. 

I got this great burlap bag from Junebug Furniture & Design at The Farm Chicks.  It's lined and is so cute!  i love the ruffles.

My very cluttered looking vanity.

A few favorites all in one place.

I love these books, if not for their content, then most certainly for their appearance.  I can't help judge these books by their covers :o)  The content is good too...but again, it's kind of about the covers.

I got this box of matches from Queen of Tarte.  It's so cute and is simply wrapped with pretty paper, and painted on the bottom and sides with silver paint.  I liked the way it looked with my silver and rhinestone collection in a mercury votive holder. 

The reading/TV watching nook in our bedroom.

 

One of the fun books Steven got me for Mother's Day.  "Charmed Bracelets" by Tracey Zabar.  I do love books!  Especially if it has to do with decorating, mysteries, or both.

There are more pictures, but I realize I'm being a bit overzealous ;o)  Happy 4th!!!

sunday at home....

When things are so busy it really is nice just to have a day at home.  I enjoy not having to be anywhere, mixed in with some relaxation as well as getting things done. 

 

Raspberry Chocolate candle from  Stephen's Candlrey in Hayden Lake, ID (just down the street from my mom).  My favorite candles that they have are the Pumpkin and the Candy Corn (seasonal).  Both are outstanding.

Family Room

 

 

 

One of my new pillows from The Farm Chicks sits in the Family Room. I should have done a close up of it - has a great faded French looking pattern.  The fabric is from Shabby Chic.

I really enjoy dog figurines made in Occupied Japan.  I have quite a few now and still don't tire of looking for them.  I also have a couple of dog show trophies and ribbon. 

This old wire filing basket work great for corralling magazines.

I've had this old tray for a couple of years now.  I use it in so many different ways - for now it holds books that I often look at while sitting on the couch.

These are all finds from my trip to my mom's.  All but the "A" are from The Farm Chicks show - the "A" is from a little antique store in Coeur d' Alene, ID called Forget-Me-Not.

I have more pictures, but I'll post those in my next entry.

fantastic fun at the farm chicks

This is a cautionary tale of what happens when a girl from Minnesota visits her mom in Idaho on the same weekend of The Farm Chicks show in nearby Washington.  I warn you, this post isn't for the faint of heart.  Once Mom established that she could and would in fact drive any and all bulky purchases to North Dakota so that we could pick them up to take back to Minneapolis....well, understandably, it was "Game On" from that point forward.  This bit of news led to the procurement of a chair, old suitcases, a stool, a framed chalk board, a huge pillow, a doll house, a basket....you get the idea.  Everything else that could be squeezed, rammed, folded, pushed, prodded, or otherwise placed somewhere on my person or baggage came back with me on the plane...yah, it was pure, unadulterated goodness.  Everyone should have a weekend like that.  Here are a few pictures of Evy, me, and my mom.  Steve stayed a safe distance back in Minnesota....really, it was better that way ; )

My mom brought her Farm Chicks cookbook to get signed, as you'll see below.  This is us with our excited faces on.  We were definitely excited.

 

We had so much fun in the Duchess booth.  This is where I got my fun suitcases.

Evy posing with her new doll house from Unexpected Necessities.  We'll have fun decorating it.

The Barn House Boys had such a great display - I wish I could have gotten more home with me - good thing I didn't live closer or I would have had to make an emergency trip to a U-Haul store to rent a trailer.

My new chair from Gladys at JuneBug Furniture Designs.  I could have bought out their whole booth.  Below is the back of the chair.

Look at those cute buttons!

Just a few of the fun things I got - this is at my mom's where they still sit until July 4th weekend!  The pillow on the chair was also from JuneBug and is made from Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic fabric.  JuneBug also made the cute ruffled burlap bag hanging from the chair.

A few of the other fun things I got - pictures, books, lotion, a paper flower....who doesn't need a sparkly paper flower?

Mom and Evy with Serena and Teri from The Farm Chicks.

Yep, a great weekend. 

** Also wanted to say hi to Cathy from Red Wing, MN who I saw at Haupt Antiek Market way back in January.  She recognized me from my blog - I was shocked.  Hope you are well Cathy!!

london & a crown

  Hello my friends.  I hope you are all doing well!  At the end of September Steven, Evy, and I traveled to London for vacation.  As some of you know, I have a bit of an obsession with all things English - so I felt completely in my element whilst holidaying there ;o)  I even got to meet the beautiful, sweet, and funny Sophie from Sophie Honeysuckle.  Meeting Sophie really was a dream come true for me - we had such a great time.  My only complaint is that I wish we could have gotten to spend more time together.  We had an excellent time at Cath Kidston, Cabbages & Roses, having coffee, doing some clothes shopping, and above all - getting a chance to talk face to face.  What an excellent way to spend a day in London.  Below is a picture of Steve, Evy, and me at Stonehenge.

 

Evy and I standing in front of the Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221B Baker Street (and me with the ubiquitous cup of coffee - I realized later that I am holding coffee in about 75% of the pictures - yah, drank a lot of coffee over there)

 

 

Here we are in Bath - it was so beautiful there - and so very commercial.  It was a strange combination of the very old and well preserved buildings, churches, and cobblestone streets, paired with oddities like the Disney store, and Starbucks.  True story.

 

Little Evy turned 5 while we were in London.  We had so much fun that day.  We went to Hamley's Toy Store where she picked out the Paddington Bear and pink kitty with her birthday money.  We had brought the Emily American Girl doll with us to give to her (the Emily character is from England and went to stay with Molly in America during WWII).  We thought it would be fun to give her a doll who was from England.  She was ecstatic and likes to tell people that Emily is from England.  By the way, we have and American Girl store that is opening right by us at the Mall of America on Friday so we are pretty excited.

 

I will post more pictures of England - I just realized my picture of Sophie is on our other computer so I need to pull it off of there (as well as my pictures in Cath Kidston).  I'll also take a picture of the fun spotted green bags that both Sophie and I got at CK. 

My last picture is one of me in the crown that lovely Rosemary made for me a while back.  I meant to get updates to you sooner.  I've also got loads of house pictures to show you - I've gotten so backed up and now theres so much to share!! : )

Talk to you shortly my friends.

berry pie & my hometown featured in country living mag

     I was so excited when I opened my new Country Living magazine (September issue) on Thursday and found that my hometown of Rathdrum, ID was featured on page 52.  The Vintage Barn Antiques show is a twice-yearly event held in Rathdrum by Rolane Hopper.  I lived and went to school in Rathdrum (go Hawks!).  Anyway, I'm sure you can see why I would be excited to see my little hometown in one of my favorite magazines.  It's a beautiful place and is also home to Juanita Carmack - The Salsa Chick who has also been in Country Living as a featured entrepreneur.  Yay Rathdrum, and yay Vintage Barn Antiques!  My mom goes to their shows and tells me how great they are - I'm so envious!

     In other exciting news, Evy and I made a berry pie together using The Farm Chick's recipe for both the pie and the crust.  I highly recommend it if you don't have a favorite crust recipe already.  The recipe is for strawberry rhubarb, but we couldn't find rhubarb anywhere - not frozen, not fresh.  Instead I decide to do a strawberry blueberry pie using the exact same recipe.  It was wonderful!  I also really love strawberry rhubarb so as soon as I can get my hands on some rhubarb I will try that one as well.  If you want to do the berry pie that I did, just do equal parts of each fruit.

     Check out some of the recipes at The Farm Chicks.  I've made their blackberry crisp recipe and it's very good and so easy.  You can us what ever fruit you like if you're not a blackberry fan.  I've used peaches and blackberries - both are excellent with vanilla ice cream.

 

                                                                                                                                                                  

The apron is one I got at The Farm Chicks - not made by them, but one of the vendors who was at the show - I don't remember who made it and there is no label on it.  I'd love to be able to pass along the name of the person who created it.    Evy's apron was made by my very talented mom.  It's a vintage pattern.  I have one as well that she made for me.

                                                                                                                                                                  

I was trying to do little cut outs on the top of my pie, but I didn't have a cutter that was small enough.  I was trying to do something that looked like the crust that The Farm Chicks did for their strawberry rhubarb pie.  Does anyone know where I can find some little cut outs like the one used below? Their pie recipe was also featured in Country Living magazine.

 

Strawberry rhubarb pie - INGREDIENTS:

• 2 disks Grandma's Pie Dough (1/2 recipe) see recipe
• 1 1/3 pounds rhubarb, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1/3 pound strawberries, hulled and halved
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour

DIRECTIONS

• Heat the oven to 375°F. Roll out one disk of dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness, and transfer to a 9-inch pie pan. Set aside and keep chilled. Roll the remaining dough to 1/8-inch thickness and cut slits or use a miniature star cutter to create vents. Combine the rhubarb, strawberries, sugar, and flour in a large bowl, and transfer to the prepared pie pan; drape the rolled-out dough over the pie. Trim the edges of both crusts, leaving a 1/2-inch overhang. Fold the dough under, lightly pinching to seal the top and bottom crusts. Crimp around the rim and chill for 10 minutes. Bake on the center shelf of the oven until golden brown — 45 to 55 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

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Pie Dough -INGREDIENTS:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 3/4 cups cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 egg (extra large)

DIRECTIONS

• Combine the flour, salt, and sugar in a large bowl. Cut in the butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Whisk the vinegar, egg, and 1/2 cup of ice water together and mix into the flour mixture with your hands until just combined. Transfer to a clean work surface, and gently press to form a dough. Divide the dough into 4 equal parts. Shape each into a ball, flatten slightly to form a disk, and wrap in plastic. Chill for at least 1 hour.

So, would I be obsessing if I pointed out that my face looks distorted due to a shadow on the fridge?  Okay, yes, obsessing - any way, it's a shadow...just saying ;o)

                                                                                                                                                                                                

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

On deck for my next post will be pictures of the wonderful crown and witch's hat that I purchased from the very talented Rosemary.                                                                                                                                                                  

fairy cake recipe, tea parties, and summer bedspreads of yesteryear

I neglected to add the recipe for the fairy cakes in my last post.  They were very good!  The recipe is from "Cupcakes!" by Elinor Klovans - the book is pictured here from a few posts ago.  For anyone who has the book, the cupcakes (fairy cakes) are on pg. 23 and the frosting is on pg 34.

easy-mix yellow cupcake batter

Batter for 12 regular cupcakes, 9 big-top cupcakes, 6 extra-large cupcakes, or 42 mini-cupcakes

Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 23 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.  Cool for 10 minutes prior to frosting.

1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 large egg

1 large egg yolk

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup canola or corn oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup sour cream (I used low fat)

Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a medium bowl and set aside.

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the egg, yolk, and sugar until thickened and lightened to a cream color, about 2 minutes.

Stop the mixer and scrape the sides of the bowl as needed during mixing.  On low speed, mix in the oil and vanilla until blended.  Mix in the sour cream until no white streaks remain.  Mix in the flour mixture until it is incorporated and the batter is smooth.  The batter is ready to bake.

Fill each paper liner with a scant 1/4 cup of batter, to about 1/2 inch below the top of the liner.  Bake just until the tops feel firm and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 23 minutes.

Frosting

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

3 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

3 to 4 tablespoons whole milk

Decorations or additions such as colored sugar, sprinkles, finely chopped chocolate, etc.

In a a large bowl, using an electric mixer on low speed, beat the butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and almond extract together with 3 tablespoons milk, then add up to 1 tablespoon more milk if needed to form a creamy, smooth, spreadable frosting. 

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Evy and I decided to have a tea party at the park near us, right next to a duck pond.  Evy's friends Sophie, and Mr. Barrington also attended said tea party.  Mr. Barrington does love a good tea party.

                                                                                                                                                                      

This is Evy's summer bedspread.  It reminds me of summer nights of years past - a soft breeze fluttering through the curtains, crickets chirping, the smell of lilacs wafting through the opened window.  I found it at an antique store in North Dakota a couple of years ago in anticipation of Evy's big girl bed.  I really like it.  And as you can see, Sophie changed from her tea party clothes to her riding ensemble.  Such is the life of a society girl.

                                                                                                                                                                                    

Hope you're having a great weekend!  And thank you so much for the well wishes, and the welcome back messages.  I very much appreciate it - you guys are so wonderful :o)

fairy cake fun...

I know...I know...where the blazes have I been right?  Well, I took some much needed down time....from virtually everything.  And now, I'm peeking back in and hoping you'll understand.  I wanted to post some pictures of Evy and I decorating the fairy cakes we made together.  I'll freely admit that I love calling cupcakes by their British name...it really is a better name I think.  Evy agrees.

Look at the concentration on that little girl's face.  Evy wants you to know that applying sprinkles to fairy cakes is no simple task.  It takes precision, focus, and a steady hand...especially when you are four.

Notice my apron?...it's from The Farm Chicks.  My mom got it for me a couple of years ago.  I was lucky enough to go to the Farm Chicks show in Spokane, WA this year with my mom.  I'll have to take a picture of the new apron I got.  It's so cute - it can be frequently seen on a certain Evy who is convinced that it is a skirt that she should be able to wear to school, to the store, to the park, and while napping.  We visited my mom in Idaho in June - all planned around the Farm Chicks show.  It was very fun....VERY crowded, but very fun.  I got some cute stuff.  My mom got the autographs of The Farm Chicks.

   

                                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                              

We went to the beach on the 4th and had a great time...maybe the most fun was getting Evy a different snack or drink every 1.25 minutes.  Just as I would lay down again, or try to read even three words in my book...."Mommy, I'd like a snack....I'd like a drink...I'd like, I'd like".  Steve had his earphones in and was apparently unable to hear the constant requests for sustenance.  Yep, super fun.  Aside from that it was very nice to spend some time at a beach.  It had been a long time for me so I really enjoyed it. 

I do hope you have all been well.  I am sorry for my absence and I very much appreciate your kind emails and comments.  I am grateful for the friends I have made while blogging and I hope you'll be understanding of my time away.  I look forward to catching up with you my friends.

alive and well...just needed a little break

I'm so sorry to have been what amounts to the worst blogging friend ever.  I don't know what happened exactly.  It was like I completely rebelled against the computer at home.  No email, no blogs, I've barely watched T.V.  So, I needed a little break and I couldn't even bring myself to update my blog to say I was taking a break.  I knew I would want to start checking in with people and before you know it hours have gone by once again.  I am very sorry for any worry I may have caused or general annoyance.  It wasn't intended I assure you.  During my absence I gave up pop - my beloved Diet Coke :(  I adjusted what I was eating - smaller portions and trying to cut out sugar and lower my fat intake, and I've increased my work outs from almost non-existent (which they had become lately), to five days a week.  I reached a breaking point.  Too much sitting around eating whatever happened to make its way into my hands, and not enough taking care of myself properly.  I will keep blogging that is for sure, but I just needed some downtime from always being on the computer and sitting around.  I feel really good and am very happy with the changes I've made recently...although some days I really just want a bacon cheeseburger, fries, and a chocolate milkshake...once and a while doesn't hurt I don't think.  A girl can't be deprived all the time! 

I will post soon with pictures of all of my new Nancy Drew goodies...the movie just came out!  My copy is patiently waiting for me to watch it on Friday night.  Can't wait! 

I'll post this weekend.  I hope you all are well.  I've missed you and am glad to be back.

Thank you for your patience!

back from Portland, on to St. Louis - a stop in between at home

Portland was very nice even if I was there for work.  I stayed in a great old hotel, The Benson, and was able to get out and shop a little one night.  Anybody heard of Powell's Bookstore?  It's ginormous!  I spent some time roaming the isles and purchased several books and magazines for myself and Evy.  I also did a bit of clothes shopping which is always a good time.  I got home on Wednesday and am leaving again tomorrow for another work trip - this time for St. Louis.  Today Evy and I had an outing at the mall where we bought sparkly shoes (for Evy, but sadly not for me), and some fun clothes for the two of us.  I don't shop for clothes very much so it's fun when I do.  My favorite store is J.Crew (very often I realize that literally everything I am wearing (save for underthings) is from J.Crew. - this includes my coat and scarf).  I do love that store.  Anyhoo, I recently received a wonderful, and completely indulgent cookbook as a belated birthday present from my friend Boni, and at about the same time I purchased another cookbook  - nearly as equally indulgent - just  because it looked so good - "Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey" and "Cupcakes!" respectively.  Both have great covers, pictures, and recipes. 

 

"Sticky, et al" is by Jill O'Connor, photographs by Keigh Beisch.  "Cupcakes!" is by Elinor Klivans, photographs by France Ruffenach.   I wouldn't normally add who did the photographs, but they both do such a fantastic job that I had to mention them.

This is a picture from "Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey" as is the below picture.

A bit blurred, but you get the idea.  Those colors, the arrangement of the food...it's all so great.

 

This delightful photograph is from "Cupcakes!"

I recently updated the display atop the little chest of drawers in our entry.  I love old baseballs and like how they look in a silver champagne bucket.  If my friend Susan reads this she may recognize it as a wedding gift from her in-laws, which has yet to be used for chilling any sort of beverage in the 10 years we've had it.  It's been used for practically everything else though.  Also pictured is the new (old) clarinet that I recently got from an antiques store called Hunt and Gather in Minneapolis.

I think it's the combination of a classy, respectable looking champagne chiller filled with very old, beat up baseballs that appeals to me.  I don't like things to be too much of anything - it's the mixing and matching of old and new, glitziness and restrained elegance that gets me excited. 

And since it's almost Valentine's Day I am including a picture of the little hand-stitched heart that I made last February.  It's hanging in the Living Room right now, but normally resides in Evy's room.  Some of you who have been reading for awhile may remember when I made this humble little heart last year. 

Thanks to everyone who drops by even when I'm not so quick to update my blog.  I really do appreciate your comments and emails.  Thank you for always being so supportive, kind, and funny.  Talk to you when I return from St. Louis.

 

a trip to portland for work...be back soon...

Hello friends, just wanted to let you know that I'm about to leave for a few days in Portland, OR for work.  I'll be back on Wednesday and will try to get you properly updated with pictures and a post at that time.  I'm fully stocked with new magazines for reading on the flight, as well as a mystery of course.  I always feel so much more relaxed knowing that I have good reading materials for a trip - I don't dread the flight at all if I have something fun to peruse.  My iPod has been updated with a couple of new CD's I recently got, and I'm set with snacks for the flight as well.  I haven't been to Portland for quite some time.  I wish I could do more sight seeing, but it's strictly business this go round.  I hope you are all doing well.  I'll talk to you soon!