21 July 2010

Sabbatical

I know I have had a long absence from my blog....I have experienced some health issues and my attention has been devoted to getting well and focusing on the most important thing in my life which is my family.
Please forgive my little sabbatical...I'm not sure when I will be back on a regular basis. But I will continue to look in on all of my blog friends.
May God bless you with his gracious love....


Denise

01 June 2010

Sorry it has been so long since I've been here....
I've been a busy busy bee.

My mom has been busy with her garden
the strawberries are ripening as fast
as she can pick them. She has already
sold about 50 quarts and we haven't
even done our first market yet.
I've been busy trying to make a few things,
go through my antiques that have been
in storage and get all of our props
together for our booth.
I'm truly looking forward
to doing this market with
my mom....we are going to
have such a great time.
Have a wonderful week and please
forgive my possible absence this week...
but  I promise pictures after the market!


19 May 2010

Family Market

A friend of mine suggested that I try
presenting some "stuff" at our local
farmer's market which also features
artist and creative wares.

After some consideration...
I thought what have I got to lose.
So I am putting myself out there...
I haven't done any kind of market or show
since I closed my shop 4 years ago.

I've been busy collecting and planting garden goodies
in the unexpected....like hen & chicks in these
sweet vintage baby shoes.

I will also have various other items
like altered planting pots, mini terrariums,
pillows and so much more.

Not only am I going to feature some of my "stuff"
but my parents are going to sell
produce from their huge...I mean HUGE
organic garden....so it's become a
family affair!

It's going to be a FABULOUS summer
and I can hardly wait!

16 May 2010

Sweet Treat

Strawberry season is approaching...
and I decided to kick it off by
making one of my husband's favorite
strawberry desserts. 

Strawberry-Kiwi Tarts 


This recipe is directed for making a 9" tart, however, I make small individual tarts for my family. They all want to have their own.

Crust:
1-15oz Box of Refrigerated Pie Crust. soften as directed on box

Filling:
1-1/2 Cups Vanilla Low-Fat Yogurt
1 Container (8oz) Reduced-Fat Sour Cream
1 Box (4oz Serving Size) Vanilla Instant Pudding
2 Tablespoons Orange Marmalade

Topping:
1 Cup Halved Fresh Strawberries
2 Kiwi, Peeled, thinly sliced
2 Tablespoons Orange Marmalade

Heat Oven to 450 degrees. Make pie crust as directed on box for one-crust baked shell using 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom or 9-inch glass pie plate. Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

In medium bowl, mix all filling ingredients with wire whisk until well blended. Pour into cooled baking shell. Arrange strawberries and kiwifruit on filling.

In small microwaveable bowl, microwave marmalade on high 5 - 10 seconds or until melted. Brush over fruit. Refrigerate 1 hour or until set before serving. Store in refrigerator.

Enjoy!

12 May 2010

I am usually not a person who is envious...
that is until now....

My husband and I watched the movie "It's Complicated"
over the weekend...and well the
envy began when I saw Meryl Streep's
character in her cook's garden.
At the time I was truly mesmerized
by it's awe inspiring layout...
it's contents and well it was
unbelievably gorgeous.

Evidently my infatuation was quite
noticeable because my husband and I
visited some greenhouses this week
and he sweetly asked me if I
would like to have a garden...

I asked him whatever made you
think of that...he said..'You should
have seen the look on your face
when you saw the garden in "It's Complicated"...

He already had given thought to
where it could go and how
we could make it work...
sigh...he is wonderful.

Needless to say I will
settle for an extensive herb garden...
but next year who knows.

09 May 2010

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

May your day be filled
with joy and your heart
filled with love.

01 May 2010

Happy May Day!

I had such fun yesterday!
After I put my son on the bus for
school I decided to go visit
the coffee chicks (my friends).
Standing in my kitchen I was admiring all  
of the lovely flowers in my yard.
As the day's agenda rolled around in my head
I realized that it was going to be May Day.
So I decided to make some small
May Day gifts for my friends
using things that I had...
paper, stickers, flowers from my garden.
I always have a great time with
my friends but it was heartwarming
to see the joy on their faces
with such a small token of friendship.

Happy May Day to all of you
and have a wonderful weekend!

27 April 2010

Instant Sunshine

Flowers....Flowers...Flowers
I have flowers on the brain.
Flowers are like an instant
shot of sunshine for the soul.
Sweet Peas and Tulips are so lovely...
although I have many personal favorites.

I have been perusing several greenhouses
lately looking for new flower plants.
Going to them it's like being on overload...
My mind says...I want this and this and this..
Well you get the picture. 
I have been stock piling plants...
it is still a little early to plant where I live.
But come Mother's Day...
look out...I'll be on a
planting frenzy.
The sun is shining today...
and I'm feeling FAB!

Photosource: Country Living Magazine

24 April 2010

Faithful Companion

There is nothing like the comfort
of a sweet and faithful companion...
one of mine happens to be
my dog CeCe.


She is as good as it gets....
I have been under the weather
and she has been following me
around and just"has" to
be with me. She's even
wanted to be with me when I
lay down in bed....snoozing on
the pillow beside me.

For all of you animal lover's
you know what I am talking
about. They just have a way of
knowing that you need to be comforted.

I'm thankful for CeCe....
she brings me immense comfort and joy!

19 April 2010

Bling

Every girl likes a little bling....right.
I am no exception.
However....I would have to say
that my preference would be vintage.
Yes that's right....
I LOVE LOVE LOVE
vintage jewelry.

I think it all started when I
would visit my Grandmother
as a little girl...
She would let me play with
all of her jewelry...
and she had ALOT.
So girls how do you bling?

Photo Source: Country Living Magazine

12 April 2010

Coffee & A Little Chit Chat

I'm not sure when it started....
but I have lost touch with
friends that I truly care about...

I have been trying to reestablish
the relationships that I have missed.
I want to be a better friend.
I want to enjoy life....laugh...
embrace fun...and be around
people who want the same thing.

I spent this morning with a group
of friends that meet for coffee.
I used to do this frequently....sadly I think
it's been over a year since I did this...

It was one of the best moments I've
had in quite some time.
A little coffee, great friends and
feeling free to be me...
it was awesome!

05 April 2010

Outside Living

My husband and I have been
discussing some ideas for creating
some outdoor "rooms" for a section
of our little cottage home's yard.
Different places to gather
with family and friends...
To be surrounded by the people
we love in cozy and
welcoming spots....
Life just doesn't get any
better than that!
Photos: Country Living

31 March 2010

Treasures Galore!


Just a few pictures from my friend Tricia's Open House at
her lovely shop Backyard Candle Company.
The shop was filled to the brim with all kinds of
treasures....browse my photos and
see for yourself.









25 March 2010

Bloom and Grow


Ahhhh...The sweet smell of SPRING...

There is something so magical about spring.
As everything that lie dormant over the winter
stirs from it's slumber and
awakens with a fresh and
renewed spirit...
to embrace and grow leaving
all of the past behind.

I too feel awakened...
I am ready to bloom and grow..
to sow and to share...
to love.

I am also ready to get outside too.
To work on creating my gardens....
But it struck me that I don't
have to wait...how about
bringing a little spring inside.

I am taking a small day trip with a friend
tomorrow and maybe I can find some
treasures to plant a few little
green goodies in...

I am going to be visiting my friend Tricia
of Backyard Candle Co. tomorrow.
She is having her spring open house this weekend...
if you live close please go and see her...if not
visit her blog and Etsy shop...she's FAB!

21 March 2010

LOVE

A few more pictures from Matthew's Wedding....

Love....Love...Love







15 March 2010

The Happy Couple

It was a beautiful simple wedding...
good music, good food
and family.

Congratulations Matthew & Julie

11 March 2010

May You Know Nothing But Happiness

My son Matthew is getting married tomorrow...
I just saw him trying on his tux at the bridal shop.
My eyes filled with tears of joy for
this wonderful man who
it seems like yesterday was
just a little boy...my little boy.

A new chapter in his life will begin
and so Matthew...

May God be with you and bless you.
May you see your children's children.
May you be poor in misfortune, rich in blessings,
May you know nothing but happiness.
From this day forward.
Irish Wedding Blessing

I love you Matthew with my whole heart.

Matthew as a boy pictured with my youngest son Blake.

04 March 2010

I Have Returned!

I bet you thought I fell off
the face of the earth
didn't you...
well pretty close...

The past few weeks have been
filled with ups and downs...
too much so that I couldn't bring myself
to write a thing.

My life has been filled with a sick child, a sick me,
a death in the family, a little bout of the blues ...
which I have struggled with my entire life...
and one of my boys is getting married in 2 weeks
which we just found out about a week ago...
which is a happy event....
but oh my lots to do!

So I picked myself up...and said
okay that's enough...
get on with it...
and so I begin again.

In the times that I am surrounded
by challenges, sorrow and even joy...
I hope to be like a butterfly that emerges from
it's cocoon...
forever changed and grateful
for the life that lies ahead. 

08 February 2010

SICK

Sorry I haven't posted anything new....

Blake has been sick for several days
and now so am I.

Will post more when
I feel better.

Thanks for stopping by....
I hope to be able to stop by and
visit all my blog friends soon.

02 February 2010

Let's Eat CAKE!

I love cake...yes I do!
I love to eat cake, make cake...
and share cake!

There is a FABULOUS website
called Bakerella....
which I found through my friend
Federica of  Sweet As Candy
It is filled with FUN baking ideas.
And for Valentine's Day ...
they have featured this scrumptious looking
Valentine's Day Gift Box.
And guess what...
it's all made out of cake!
Yes...the whole thing is cake!
Visit Bakerella's website at
for the recipe and instructions
and make one of these
delectable delights...
Now...Let's Eat Cake!
Photosource: Bakerella