Lilacs and Lace

We've had a nice spring, and the lilacs are in full bloom. When we are on the back deck, the sweet fragrance surrounds us. While I was picking bouquets, the lilac fairy was whispering  "save some for my bed please".

The inspiration for this table were these lovely lilacs and the purple iris table that Susan at Between Naps on the Porch set.

A small table is set in the sunroom, and is dressed with leftover lace that I used to make panels for my sidelights in the foyer. Before we bought the house, the builder put a coat closet at the front entry, and you can actually see the coats through the sidelight. So I put up the lace panels to diffuse it (to please me). No one else seems to notice it ;o)

The layers upon layers of plates sit on wooden chargers. The dishes are a mixture of Vietri and "lace" plates from Crate and Barrel.

I added a purple napkin so the top plate could show off its beautiful pattern.

A tea pot from the Christmas Tree Shop is being used as a vase to hold lilacs. I wanted extra fragrance, so I added another bunch of lilacs to the table. A scent of sweet heaven on a Spring day. Clear cut crystal water goblets  flutes and salt and pepper shakers finish the table.

Thank you for stopping by! Each time I post a table setting on my blog, I chuckle because I am rarely taking photos of the food that goes on the plates. I have six binders of tried and true recipes and two bankers boxes of file folders with the recipes organized by category. I also use all 50 cookbooks that I have on my book shelves.  In the morning before work, I grab one of the binders or cookbooks for inspiration and/or choose a recipe.    I shop for any ingredients I may need on my lunch hour since the market is so convenient. Now you know my style!

I am joining these hostesses:

Cuisine Kathleen for Let's Dish
Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday

xo
Debbie

Weather Forecast: Cloudy with Mackenzie-Childs

Even the chill and clouds couldn't dampen our joyful Mother's Day celebration. We've had a long stretch of beautiful sunshine and very little rain, but Mother's Day weekend was very chilly. So I set a table for two for mom and me, and we started our day with elevated granola and berries in mini compotes that my family gifted me with for Mother's Day. 

The mini compotes are named "Fran" by Mackenzie-Childs, and have been on my list for a while. I love that they were inspired by one of the first potters to work at the Mackenzie-Childs studio, and Fran's disposition and sun-kissed cheeks are perfectly captured in this happy pattern.

I would love to meet sweet Fran! I was drawn to the fluted rim of the handmade majolica dish. Here's the description of the dish - exhuberant golden blooms are strewn across a field of periwinkle-blue dots, framed with dove-gray scalloping and aubergine stripes. Belted with a mossy green band and centered on a bold raspberry and sunflower windowpane motif, this Taylor pattern reflects the warmth of a lazy stroll up the brick drive in Aurora beneath the late-summer sun. 

On a personal note, my nephew Kevin (who is also my godchild), and his fiance Beth completed pharmacy school on Friday. I am very happy for this beautiful young couple who are so much fun to be around. They found jobs and are getting married in October. This made my sister's Mothers Day extra special!

Thank you for stopping by! I am joining Cuisine Kathleen for Let's Dish and Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday. 

xo

Prettied Up The Front Door with Ramsign

I couldn't be happier with the four digit sign that I received from Ramsign from a give away at Pandora's Box. I was thrilled to win the sign, and received it a couple months ago. We decided to put it on our black door, and it looks great. I included a couple photos of their signs, and there are many more on the Ramsign website.

This little blue sign is just too stinkin adorable. It would even look sweet on a basket.

    

   Ramsign will ship to ANYWHERE in the world. And they are on Facebook.

As you can see, I have black shutters on the house, so I went with black and white for the sign. 

Thank you for stopping by! And a big thank you to Ramsign and Patti at Pandora's Box!

XO

Mother's Day

This is my wonderful momma! We are taking mom to our family camp for Mother's Day this year, and Joe is treating us to a dinner he is preparing. Mom has already requested his Stromboli appetizer. I'm sure some of the family members will be fishing and kayaking if the weather is nice. 

I recently found this vintage checkerboard cake pan set at the church rummage sale, and had to try it out. I followed the recipe that came with the set, and it worked very well. 

I froze most of the cake, and we will enjoy it on Mother's Day. 

I put together a few collages from photos I took at our previous Mother's
Day celebrations. I used the initial mugs to spell L O V E for last year's celebration.

My husband and sons are generous with gifts. I love the succulent turtle they got me two years ago. The Mackenzie-Childs vase was my gift last year.

I have been admiring the dogwood blooms outside the window. 

The azaleas and pink hyacinths were gorgeous this year. I took these photos last weekend.

Wishing you a beautiful Mother's Day.

Thank you for stopping by!

xo

Debbie

Savory Filled Appetizers and an Update

On a personal note, thank you for the well wishes. The CT scan and X-ray of my neck both came back normal. The doctor said I just need to rest, so I am being a very good patient because I really want this to get better quickly.  Nausea is one of the most common concussion symptoms and can be perceived as a lack of appetite so I am forcing myself to eat and drink. Other concussion symptoms that can contribute to lack of appetite are headache and increased fatigue, and I have both.

In the meantime, I will leave you with one of my very favorite recipes. This is a repost. They would be lovely for a Mother's Day celebration.

This very simple appetizer has been on my holiday and party menu for five years. I originally posted this in November 2008. My dear friend Colleen shared the recipe with me, and she found it in Woman's Day (November 2008 issue). The original recipe is called Pumpkin Patch Bites. I used leaf cutters for Thanksgiving. I also added a little dijon mustard which the recipe didn't call for. The possibilities are endless with this recipe, and it's great for all holidays using different cookie cutters.

1 box (15 oz.) refrigerated pie crusts

6 oz. sliced Black Forest or Virginia ham

8 oz. sliced extra-sharp Cheddar, Swiss or Gruyere cheese

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1. Heat oven to 425. Line a rimmed baking sheet with nonstick foil.

2. On work surface, unroll pie crust and cut each of the two crusts into 12 shapes.

3. Put ham and cheese in the center of each of the 12 leaves. With a small brush, brush beaten egg around edges.

4. Top with remaining leaves, carefully pressing on edges to seal. (I just pick

them up and press the edges together).

5. Place on prepared pan, and brush tops with beaten egg. I also made veins

in the leaves. Bake 10-12 minutes until light golden. Let cook on a rack for

a couple of minutes before serving. I think they are best served warm, but you

can make them ahead and just cover with plastic wrap until ready to bake.

To see them done in Christmas shapes, click here. Savory Filled Hand Pies or Appetizers

Love to you all!

Debbie