Romancing your Home

In the previous post, I mentioned that the pink and black was inspiring me to create a vignette.  Well, I didn't have to look too far to see I already had a vignette with those colors.

 All I had to do was turn the corner in my living room to find some pink and black.

 We can take a closer look.

While on a shopping adventure in a vintage store, I found this print.  Actually, after I posted my shopping adventure, Suzanne mentioned in a comment that "this was wrapping paper" and I thought "I think I have seen that print before" so I looked in my stash under my bed and guess what I found.  I had this print all along.  That confirmed I must really like this map of  Paris.  I have read "Paris is the most romantic city".  I don't know about that but maybe some day I can check it out.

When I showed this print to Mr. VH he wasn't impressed.  He said the frame was not good so he set out to put it under glass and square-up the frame.  He, also, painted it black for me. 

The metamorphosis was complete.

If you want to Romance your home....Inspiration is found everywhere you turn.

From the same shopping adventure, I came home with this black Underwood typewriter.  The unique part that made my heart beat faster was the fact that it had a "pink" key.

If you take a closer look, the key on the top right is "pink".  It is on a teeter-totter mechanism with a black key.  It seems these keys were used to change the colors on the ribbon because it shifts the ribbon up and down.  I guess I'm really aging myself because I remember typing on machines that did that.  

If you would like to check out the post of this fun shopping adventure click here on Rock-a-Billy Adventure.

More romantic detailing with this pair of pink birds.  

Notice the author's name on book....Byrd.

I don't know if you noticed, but the photos in this picture frame change.

There are so many fun ideas for decorating your home.

 I just love watching my three grandsons have fun.

Set the mood by

Romancing your Home

Be inspired by visiting  these following links I've joined:

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home 

Junkin' Finds Friday at Al a Carte

Inspiration Friday at At the Picket Fence

Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

A Birthday Celebration

 Cindi      Sally      Ruth      Sandi     Gail

My friend Sally had her birthday in December but since that was such a busy time of the year, we decided to have a belated  birthday celebration in January, actually January 31st. 

Cindi hosted Sally's birthday celebration.

Since the next day was February and we love our times together, Cindi chose a 

Valentine themed setting.

The pink swirl glass dishes let you peek to the vintage rose plates and bowls.

The beautiful floral napkins were folded with detail.  Cindi said she has a book that shows different ways to fold napkins.

Here are some close-ups of the tablescape.

Our potluck Menu was Soups and Salads.

This salad was just the beginning.

Even though the family room is large we enjoyed our cozy space in front of the fireplace. 

I just had to show you the old cash register that sits close by.

Cindi purchased this beautiful table runner the day before on a shopping spree.

 More Valentine vignettes sprinkled around the room.

You can find many lovable treasures in this vignette.

 Valentine hankies and perfume bottles tucked away with a vintage Valentine postcard.

The "Cupids Book" was a purchase from my booth at the Ventura Flea Market the day before.

I have to tell you, that when my grandsons were younger I saw them one day looking at that book and snickering because the cupid was naked.

Did anyone say DESSERT!

This Valentine vignette was by the dessert bar.

We always love it when Cindi is in charge of desserts.  

She doesn't just make one dessert she makes many.

Sally's favorite is chocolate.

 Strawberry Truffle goes so well for Valentine's Day.

It not only is beautiful but yummy.

 Of course you have to sample it all and the gracious hostess that Cindi is, she sends us home with lots of goodies.

 Cindi and her husband, Chuck, sent us home with oranges, tangerines, and grapefruits

picked from their trees.

Chuck was trying to show us his creative decorating side with this display of grapefruits. 

  The "White Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge"  just kept popping in my mouth.  

They didn't last long after I took them home so I thought I would share Cindi's recipe with you and let you taste for yourself.  The great thing about this recipe is that it makes a large batch so it is great for when  you are entertaining.

White Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge

2 pounds Guittard Brand White Chocolate Chips

2 cups  Skippy Peanut Butter (Chunky or Creamy)

2 cups Special K or Rice Krispies Cereal

2 cups Peanuts (Dry Roasted or Regular)

2 cups Miniature Marshmallows

Melt white chips and peanut butter on stove or in microwave at 70% power for 5 minutes.  Add remaining ingredients and stir until thoroughly mixed.  Turn mixture into buttered jelly roll pan.  Use piece of waxed paper to press fudge smooth.  Refrigerate for approximately 30 minutes and cut into squares. (It is easier to cut before it gets too hard in refrigerator).  Store in Refrigerator

Enjoy!

Thank you Cindi for hosting such a fun evening and

Happy Birthday Sally!

I'm linking to the following Blog Parties:

Thursday Tablescape at Between Naps on the Porch

Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum

Show and Tell at My Romantic Home

Junkin Finds Friday at Alacarte

2011 Happy New Year

Happy New Year 2011

This is a great time

to reflect on the past year

and look forward to a fresh start in 2011

With the chill in the air a snowflake print place mat is perfect addition to this tablescape.

Who doesn't love a little "bling" for New Year

The candles are draped with vintage rhinestone belts. necklaces, and bracelets.

The cloche is full of vintage black ribbon and a paper flower

and adorned with "bling"

The French Chateau Flatware adds a crowning touch to the place setting.

My friend, Ruth, makes these vintage scrabble tiled decorative glass-charms.They work great to keep track of your glass.  If you are interested in having her make you custom charms, let me know by leaving a comment or by the "Contact Me " Button under the blog header and I will get you in contact with her.

This tablescape is dressed for a fun night on the town.

If you would like to see the 2010 New Year's post click here.

Wherever you are to usher in the 2011 New Year

I hope blogging in the coming year brings you happiness and joy with

much inspiration for decorating your home with a touch of the past. 

If you would like to be inspired by other blogs,  I'm linking to:

Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch

Vintage Thingie Thursday at Colorado lady

Show and Tell at My Romantic Home

Feather Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Vintage Black Friday at

2010 Thanksgiving Day

 

The Thanksgiving Table is set.

The new silver turkey is taking center stage.

The table is layered with a taupe, cream and dark brown striped tablecloth, I used the underside of another tablecloth for texture in the tablescape....I love the underside print as well as the topside.

 The placesetting begins with a cream woven round placemat, silver charger, chocolate "Fiesta" plate, and a turkey printed plate I purchased at HomeGoods.

The chocolate "Fiesta" flatware was wrapped in a cloth napkin and placed in stemware to allow more room on the table.

Silver Turkey Salt and Pepper Shakers accented with colorful acorns.

One of our all time favorite cookie is

Gretchen’s Sugar Cookies

1 c     Butter

1 c     Sugar

1       Egg

3 c     Flour

2 tsp  Baking Powder

1 tsp  Vanilla

 

 

The secret to this recipe is to :  

Roll out with powdered sugar  (no flour)

I used for the first time a "SILPAT" I purchased from  Sur la Table (made in France)  It worked great!         

Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.

Let cookies cool and then frost with: 

Buttercream Frosting

1 lb   Powdered Sugar

¼ tsp Salt

¼ c   Milk

1 tsp Vanilla

1/3 c (2/3 stick) Soft Butter

Beat with electric mixer until smooth;  scrape bowl often. 

Our family loves this recipe and it is suitable for every holiday.

We,also, love the Tollhouse mini chocolate chip cookies recipe straight from the package..

 In between all this work, we had to stop and play some games.

I want to thank my three grandsons, Eli, CJ, and Davis for helping me have a fun time preparing the food (and also tasting to make sure it would be good for our Thanksgiving meal)

And a big thanks to CJ for cleaning up because Grammy can not cook without making a BIG mess.

I WANT TO WISH YOU ALL A BLESSED AND FUN-FILLED 

THANKSGIVING DAY

WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Please enjoy some other beautiful posts I am linking to:


Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch
Feather Your Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum
Silver Sunday at