Favorite Things #20

I've only had this BKR water bottle for a week but it's already at the top of my favorites list.  I have a real aversion to plastic water bottles- it makes me truly sad to think about the tons of plastic used everyday to deliver water to us!  I've had and used plastic and aluminum water bottles, but what I love about this bottle is that it is glass!  It feels great drinking out of glass (very civilized!) and the water doesn't taste funny.  The silicone sleeve helps to protect the glass in case of breakage - I've already dropped mine on the driveway and it was fine.  Of course, it's a huge bonus that the bottle is downright pretty.

Vintage Ribbon

Whew.  It has really been a whirl-wind few weeks!  Everything has been loads of fun, but now I'm feeling very not caught up!  Laundry has piled up, dust bunnies are in abundance, pictures need to be sorted and emails are out of control (mostly spam I think!).

Following right on the heels of our Utah trip, I went to New York City for an overnight trip.  One of our stops was a trim store in the fashion district.  It was like a candy store of ribbon, trim and pretty things.  We thought we might be in heaven.  I was so sorry that I didn't have a camera but we shall be returning soon (we were running behind and only got a very short time in the store!).  I bought this 3 inch wide vintage ribbon,  it's from the 1950's and is unlike any ribbon I've ever held.  It sort of glows and feels heavy and silky in your hand.  I know that sounds over the top but it's true.  Can someone please explain to me why they can't make things like this anymore?  I asked the clerk how they find these vintage items and she told me that they are all from the store.  The owners grandfather opened the store over 80 years ago and has kept all the inventory over the years.  Can you imagine?  It was fabulous.

Favorite Thing #18

Last year, I bought a mitten tree for our mudroom in an effort to corral mittens, hats and scarves.  We have baskets in the mudroom for the purpose of keeping shoes and accessories, but I've found that simply keeping all the hats, mittens and scarves on the tree all the time makes getting bundled up so much easier.  Also, I haven't been finding accessories strewn all over the room because it's easy for the children to put away their winter gear!  The tree makes it easy for items to dry out after getting wet from snow (not that we have had any!) and is a very cheery red.  It's definitely a favorite thing in our mudroom.

P.S.  This one is on sale!

The story of BABS

Even though we have a few things on the screened porch we've decided to wait to "decorate/furnish" the porch since it the middle of winter.  It will be something to look forward to doing in the spring! However, we have had a few fires in the fireplace and that has called for a fireplace screen.  

I'd like to introduce you to BABS.  She has been patiently waiting in the basement for her chance to come out and shine (literally... she's very shiny!).  I expect that several of my friends from Atlanta will laugh as they read this because BABS has a story to tell and they might very well have been a part of that story.

In our old house in Atlanta we had a large fireplace, and when I went looking for a screen I came across this brass one with bows.  It is well established that I have a love for all bows and I was immediately smitten with this screen.  However, I was worried that it was going to be "too much."  Bryce laughed when he saw it, and he quickly named it BABS, short for "big a** bows."

I vividly remember friends (Kelly!) and family coming over and we would all sit and stare at the screen trying to decide what we thought of it!  This screen has provided a lot of laughs!  Ultimately, I decided that anything that made me smile every single time I looked at it was a keeper.  I'm very attached to her!

When I first put her out on the porch, I thought that she was too fancy, shiny and brassy for the area.  But she has worked her magic on me once again and I've already grown accustomed to her new spot!

Favorite Things #17

When Gretchen and I were in the city over Christmas we ate what was possibly the most heavenly food ever offered by a street vendor... a waffle covered in speculoos and whipped cream.  I had never had anything of the sort and it was so, so good.

So of course, I was delighted to discover Trader Joe's Cookie Butter.  I love this stuff.  It's a spread made out of biscuits that tastes like gingerbread cookies and other bits of goodness.  I've been enjoying it on cinnamon bread, crackers and bananas.  I've yet to put it on a warm waffle but it's only a matter of time.  Have you tried it?

Vintage Christmas

After Christmas last year I found two vintage pieces at the antique store that I bought and put away for this year!  I plan on using them both for Christmas breakfast.  They make me happy just looking at them!

This sweet Santa pitcher will be perfect for cream at the table.

This tablecloth is meant for a rectangular table, but I plan on using it as an overlay on one of my round tablecloths.  I love each little scene!

Lavender Sachets (in a tea strainer)

Remember the lavender that I harvested back in the summer?  I finally did something with it!  Years ago I saw a suggestion in Martha Stewart magazine to put lavender in old tea strainers and use them in drawers and closets as scented sachets.  Lavender also has the added benefit of being a repellant to moths (I've had an unfortunate incident recently with a favorite wool cape).

I bought this strainer for a couple of dollars, including shipping, on ebay.  It's a nice large size and it cleaned up very easily.  Ebay had lots of choices including some beautiful sterling silver ones!  I think that I'm going to be on the lookout to add to my collection of two strainers!

I filled the strainer with lavender buds, tied a bow on the top and stashed it in a drawer.  Now I'm hoping that the lovely smell will subtly scent the drawer!

Favorite Thing #16

I can't upload any photos to iphoto because the computer keeps telling me that my memory is full!  I'm not really sure what to do about that but until I figure it out I thought I would share a favorite thing!

Five years ago I bought the Tight-End Reversible tights in brown/black from Spanx and have worn them almost exclusively through fall and winter. Therefore, I find it pretty impressive that they have just now gotten a hole in them.  Five years seems like a long time for a pair of tights to last!   I love, love, love the fact that you can wear them as black tights one day and brown tights the next.  Anything that can do double duty and do it well is a favorite in my book.  Actually, they do triple duty since they also help in other areas as well (they are Spanx after all!).

P.S.  The above picture is no longer the design for these tights, but I preferred it to the half naked gals on the new design!

Mr. and Mrs. Pillowcases

This morning I took a bit of time to work on a project that I've had in mind to do for a while- Mr. and Mrs. pillowcases!  Whenever we take our own pillows on a trip I alway attach a clothes pin to my pillow because otherwise I can't tell mine and Bryce's a part.  I dearly love my husband but I'm very attached to my pillow!  I thought of taking them to be monogrammed but I decided to try my hand at embroidering them.  I love how they turned out!

Are the stitches even and perfect?  Not even close, but I sort of love the homemade look of them!  The project took me a little over an hour to complete and now I'm thinking of all the other pillowcases I want to make.  Wouldn't they be a fun wedding shower gift?

Favorite Things #15

Often it's the little things that make you smile that bring joy into your life in an otherwise insignificant moment during your day.  My coffee "cozy" is one of those things.  Bryce gave it to me several years ago for Valentine's Day and I love using it.  I keep it in my purse so that I can just pull it out when needed.

P.S.  I know he purchased it on Etsy but I'm not sure from what storefront.  It looks an awfully lot like these.

Dish Detergent Bottle

Hi friends!  This week has been a bit crazy with Halloween and birthday party planning (and life)!  However, I wanted to share something with you that I meant to share months and months ago.  Martha Stewart made decanting dish detergent into a pretty bottle a "good thing" and we have done it for years, but about a year ago our bottle broke.  Instead of buying a new one I used an old Real Lemon bottle.  The pouring spout (that you can buy by itself) fits the bottle top perfectly!  Plus, the green color looks pretty sitting by the sink.  I think that counts as a good thing all by itself!

Favorite Things #14

Remember the ipad that we got?  I don't use it very often but when I do it's most often to read a recipe while I'm cooking.  Unfortunately, it wasn't very convenient sitting on the countertops and I worried that I was going to get it really messy.  I started wishing for a way to mount it to the cabinets and I've finally found one!  It's made by Griffin Technology and while it's not perfect (Bryce thinks it holds the ipad a little too loosely) it has worked beautifully for me.  When you are not using the holder you just push it up into the bottom of the cabinet.

When I ordered the device I believed that it would be invisible when not in use, I didn't realize that you would be able to see it's arms when it is nestled up into the cabinet.  I put off installing it for a few days because I worried that it would really bother me every time I looked at it since I like the clean lines of my cabinets.  However, I can honestly say that I haven't given it a thought and the benefits outweigh that particular negative.  Plus, I live in my kitchen so anything that makes life easier gets a big thumbs up.

P.S.  Anyone have recommendations for apps for the ipad that I should have/use?

Favorite Things #12

I'm not a huge jewelry wearing person.  I wear the same rings and the same earrings every single day.  However, I love, love, love my necklace from Nest Pretty Things by Tamar.  I perhaps wear it a little too often, but I figure that means I just need another one.  Right?  It's one of those necklaces that you put on and instantly feel feminine and pretty.

 You really must peruse Tamar's etsy site!  She is offering a 10% discount right now, so it's the perfect time to buy Christmas gifts!

Favorite Things #11

A couple of weeks ago I got an email from The Land of Nod offering a 20% off coupon for anything in the store.  I had been wanting to purchase their wire bin to corral the numerous balls we have floating around in our garage, so I headed over to their website.  Of course, while I was there I had to check out a few other things and I came upon something that made me get all excited and happy!

You see I have a love for first aid supply bins- especially vintage looking ones!  In my excitement I ordered both the red and white because I couldn't decide which to get (and I had a coupon!).  I had the intention of returning one after I decided which one would work best for us.  Guess what?  I love them both and have put them to use holding all of our first aid supplies and medicines!  It was a terrific opportunity to go through our supplies, throw away expired medicine and make a list of lacking supplies.  Also, it freed up a tremendous amount of space!  Bonus!

P.S.  I still love my mudroom first aid kit- it gets used all the time!

Lavender

As you might remember, I have a love for lavender. A few years ago, I planted lavender that has done beautifully, and this year I decided to try my hand at harvesting some of the buds and drying them out.

However, before we dried out the buds, we used the fresh lavender to make Lavender Tea Cookies.  I use Susan Branch's recipe and we all love them.  We especially delight in Susan's description of being able to "taste breath of bees" in the cookies.

I felt wonderfully domestic having bundles of lavender hanging in my kitchen!

After two weeks, the children and I picked all the dried buds off of the stem.

We saved the stems in little bundles to use in the fire pit so that we can enjoy the wonderful aroma of lavender in the fall!

Favorite Thing #9

You might remember that I love the scent of lavender for our home.  Several years ago, I discovered The Good Home Co. lavender scented fabric softener.  I love it!  It makes our linens smell devine (I only use it on our sheets and towels).  I first discovered this product at Target, but sadly it seems that they no longer carry it (I'm glad that I stocked up!).  However, it is still being made and is available on their website, although it is pricier and comes in a much fancier bottle.  I'm glad to see though that you can buy refill sizes!

Granola (Nut Free!)

Please meet my newest obsession, homemade granola.  I haven't made granola in a long time because most recipes have an abundance of nuts in it.  In fact, my favorite granola recipe from The Summer Book by Susan Branch has a cup of nuts in it.  I looked up "nut free" granola recipes on the web, but none of them sounded good to me. In the end, I ended up using Susan's basic recipe and changed some ingredients around.  In fact, I think you can pretty much add or take away ingredients to fit your needs (her recipe calls for sunflower seeds, cashews, almonds and raisins minus the apricots and chocolate chips).

It is so, so good.  I can frequently be found with my spoon hovered over the bowl having "just one more bite."

Granola (adapted from Susan Branch)

5 cups oats

1/2 cup raw sesame seeds

1/2 cup wheat germ

1/4 cup canola oil

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup maple syrup

1 1/2 cup shredded coconut

dried apricots, chopped*

dark chocolate chips*

*however many you like!

Combine the first 6 ingredients and spread on a cookie sheet in a layer.  Bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add coconut for last 5 minutes and toast.  Remove from oven and let cool.  When completely cool add apricots and chocolate chips.  

Daffodils

Last fall I planted a lot of daffodil bulbs around our yard.  I intentionally planted late bloomers because I thought we would have more of an opportunity to be outside and enjoy them later in the spring rather than earlier.  Enjoy them we have!

We have tiny, ruffled clusters of daffodils,

miniature daffodils,

yellow and orange daffodils...

teeny, tiny yellow daffodils,

and ruffly, gorgeous daffodils.

My quandary with flowers is always whether to leave them outside to enjoy or bring them inside to enjoy.  We did both.  I think in the fall I'm going to plant even more!

Favorite Things #9

A year or two ago, my mother-in-law, Marilyn, arrived for a stay at our house with a bag of this homemade goodness.  It didn't last long because I ate it all!  I'm not even sure that I shared with anyone.  It appears to be a mixture of caramel corn, dark chocolate chunks, mini marshmallows and graham crackers. All I know is that it is one of my very favorite snacks.   A few weeks ago a ginormous bag arrived and I'm fairly sure that during the week that it lasted I gained a few pounds.  But I don't care.  It's that good.

P.S.  I don't have the recipe.  To be honest, I've never asked because it's always a treat when it shows up.  However, I'm sure that if you would like to make this deliciousness for yourself, Marilyn would share!  All you have to do is ask.

Favorite Things #8

Several months ago I bought this pillow from That Funky Boutique and I love everything about it.  I love that it's made from an old sweater, I love that it looks like a flower and I love that it is round!  And because I love it so, I put it on one of my favorite spots in the house- my window seat!  

When we renovated the kitchen it was suggested to me that we put a window seat under the large bay windows.  We did and I am ever so glad!  It's a spot to read, nap, play with dolls and chat with whoever is in the kitchen.  The window seat also gave me an opportunity to use another favorite thing- my bow sconces!  These were picked up at an antique shop years before I ever had the opportunity to use them.  For me, bows never get old!