Happy...

Mother's Day to all the mothers...

Image Source

Thanks for stopping by!

Cynthia



This Chair Caught My Eye....

After looking through the April Interior Design Magazine

I started researching a line of furniture.

When I found this beauty through ABC Home.

To report from last week the dining table has been removed

and the lighting will be installed tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cynthia

Our First Chandelier

I'm excited I ALMOST have a chandelier! 

Once we hang the light over the kitchen table we will add the crystals.

We hope your having a great week.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cynthia

Why wait for Christmas?

Several of you have asked for the Orange-Almond Drop cookie recipe.

I would love to share this recipe I found in a Special Interest Publication from Better Homes and Gardens.

Prep. 40 minutes. Bake 9 minutes per batch.

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 eggs

1 tablespoon finely shredded orange peel

1/2 cup orange juice

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup chopped almonds

Orange Butter Frosting (following)

1.  Preheat oven to 375F.  If desired, line a cookie sheet with parchment paper;  set aside.

2.  Beat butter on medium speed for 30 seconds.  Add sugar, baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; beat until combined.  Beat in eggs.  Beat in the 1 tablespoon orange peel and orange juice (mixture will look curdled).  Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer.  Stir in any remaining flour and the almonds.  Drop dough by slightly rounded teaspoons onto prepared cookie sheet.

3.  Bake in reheated oven for 9 to 10 minutes or until very lightly browned.  Transfer cookies to a wire rack; cool.  Frost cooled cookies with Orange Butter Frosting.  If desired, garnish with candied orange peel.  Makes about 50.

Orange Butter Frosting:

In a mixing bowl beat 1/3 cup softened butter with an electric mixer for 30 seconds.  Gradually add 1 cup sifted powdered sugar.  Slowly beat in 2 tablespoons orange juice and 1 teaspoon vanilla.  Gradually beat in 3 1/2 cups additional powdered sugar.  Beat in enough orange juice to make a frosting of spreading consistency.  Stir in 1 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel.

To store:

Place cookies in layers separated by waxed paper in an airtight container; cover.  Store at room temperature up to 3 days or freeze unfrosted cookies up to 3 months.  Thaw cookies, frost.

Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cynthia

Oh NO!

The dining room table we ordered ARRIVED....

It's NOT the table of our dreams after all.

It's beautiful but we quickly realized we would like a more formal, darker and traditional table.  We are also wanting to add a little drama to the room.  Our direction won't work with this table it is too light in wood and too casual.  The exercise wasn't a complete loss it did provide us a nod to the 60 inch round table for the space.

(For the record, I really liked the base of this table from Restoration Hardware.)

I can't believe I'm sharing this with you but we are going to move the lantern ONE more time.

It's next destination is the entryway. Cross your fingers, it could be WONDERFUL!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cynthia

The Garage Makeover

The garage has been a project we've put off for several years. After throwing away, recycling and donating, we had the walls, floor, door and trim repainted.

We are pleased with the cleanliness and organization. 

The work has been well worth the effort.

Have a great week.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cynthia



The Walls Have Been Painted

There's been activity at our house this week!

The dining room has been repainted.

 Thanks for stopping by!

Cynthia

Dining Room

The dining room is empty!

We are going through yet another transformation!

The last man standing is the Round Top lantern.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cynthia

What's Blooming

in Texas...

Have a great week!

Thanks for stopping by

Cynthia



Exterior Lighting Arrived

Thanks to Brandon a fabulous electrician our house is being illuminated inside and out.

The exterior lanterns are being installed.

I LIKE...

We hung a matching lantern on the other side of the garage too.

We hope your enjoying your weekend. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Cynthia

Spring Cleaning

Our Saturday has consisted of cleaning the garage. BORING!

We have painters coming in a matter of days so we are in recycle, store and throw-away mode.

We are making progress but we still have so much to do.

We hope your having a wonderful weekend!

Thanks for stopping by.

Cynthia

Fairwell

It only took 20 years....

Do you have things in your house that really bug you?

I DID.

This kitchen light box is finally going!

ADIOS!

Oh NO!

Guess who now needs to paint the entire ceiling in the kitchen and living room???

Have a great weekend!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cynthia



My DYI Project

I've been wanting to add an accent table to place between our two chairs in the study.

 When I saw this inspiration photo it got me to thinking about an existing table we currently own.  

(In January this table image was posted on Velvet & Linen.)

 

  SO, with sandpaper in hand I started the process. I knew I couldn't replicate the table but the size was right and anything was better than what we had. 

I first applied a layer of Gold Rub.

 The results were too brash for the room so I revisited my favorite blogs for further direction.  I saw a lot of lighter gray techniques so I brushed on a small amount of Farrow and Ball's Pavilion Gray.

Once I completed the lighter paint I revisited my principals of wanting contrast.

I began applying a coat of Bronze Metallic Master paint to darken the finish. 

  

To add to a family pocket watch I purchased a few accent accessories, a gold tray and boxwood plant from Back Home.

I still wasn't satisfied with the table so I brushed on a layer of Pewter Metallic Master's paint.  This additional color starting bringing out the gray in the mirror frame. 

  

 Remember where I started?

At last I finished with yet another color of Old English Metallic Master paint.

Hey... the price was right!

Next I need to find the rug shown in the original inspiration photo.  I want to break

the dark finish from the table and floor.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cynthia

Regrets...

Am I the only one that has shopping regrets, repeatedly?



I enjoyed sitting in our study over the weekend. I'm beginning to see the room come together except for the CD collection that still hasn't found a home.   Then I thought about those baskets we saw in Warrenton. Oh, why didn't I purchase them they would have been a perfect!  I'll add the baskets to my wish list for the Fall....

Thanks for stopping by!

Cynthia

Wishing You a Wonderful Day

Happy Easter

Image source alifesdesign.blogspot.com 

  

      Thanks for stopping by!

 Cynthia

Let's get a little happy...

Jennie and I go to Round Top!

On my wish list for the day was to find 2 planters for our front porch.  Immediately, we found these 2 urns and agreed the legs, color and design would be perfect.   Sold.

We saw this fun Easter display.

We admired the Carolyn Westbrook bedding showcased in khaki and a dark mushroom.

Burlap lighting was a new trend...

...and bottles made of chrome.

We saw a lot of displays filled with cement objects.

We found a barn filled with pendent lighting.

Round metal tables in all sizes were everywhere.

Coral displays were alive and well.

I dream the planters I purchased earlier could be filled with boxwood's.

more tables

and more tables

 

We found the olive baskets!

We also saw very large green bottles new this time.

 

We loved these baskets stacked.



On the right house these large metal numbers could be really cool.

I thought about taking this cabinet home for the study.

I got my "happy"...the planters are perfect!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cynthia