Tag: hospitality

10 Things to do after 50.

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1. Try everything twice.
On one woman’s tombstone she said she wanted this epitaph:
“Tried everything twice. Loved it both times!”

 

2. Keep only cheerful friends.
The grouches pull you down.
(Keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches!)

 

3. Keep learning.

Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever…


Never let the brain get idle. ‘An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.’


And the devil’s name is Alzheimer’s!

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud.

Laugh until you gasp for breath.

And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with HIM/HER.

6. The tears happen: endure, grieve and move on. The only person who is with us our entire
life, is ourselves. LIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it’s family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever…
Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health.
If it is good, preserve it.
If it is unstable, improve it.
If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don’t take guilt trips.
Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where

the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

I love you, my special friend!

11. Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second chance

can improve, get help.

 

Apples Apples Apples

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‘Tis the season for apple picking — and along with it comes the smell of cinnamon and spices. And don’t forget caramel with all types of sprinkles, nuts and chocolate bits.

  Apples , apples, apples. Remember learning that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. What is so special about this beautiful fruit ?  .   

A medium apple is equal to 1.5 cups of fruit.Two cups of fruit daily are recommended on a 2,000-calorie diet.

 

Here are some nutrition facts for a medium apple:

Calories: 95.
Carbs: 25 grams.
Fiber: 4 grams.
Vitamin C: 14% of the RDI.
Potassium: 6% of the RDI.
Vitamin K: 5% of the RDI.
Manganese, copper and vitamins A, E, B1, B2 and B6: Under 4% of the RDI.
Apples are also a rich source of polyphenols. While nutrition labels don’t list these plant compounds, they are likely responsible for many of the health benefits.

To get the most out of apples, keep the skin on. It contains half of the fiber content and many of the polyphenols.
 Apples are a good source of fiber and vitamin C. They also contain polyphenols, which can have numerous health benefits.
 Apples are good for Weight Loss
Apples are high in fiber and water — two qualities that make them filling.

In one study, participants who ate apple slices before a meal felt fuller than those who consumed applesauce, apple juice or no apple products.In the same study, those who started their meal with apple slices also ate an average of 200 fewer calories than those who didn’t .

An another study, 50 overweight women added either apples or oat cookies to their diets for 10 weeks. Each item had a similar calorie and fiber content. Those who ate apples lost an average of 2 lbs  and ate fewer calories overall .Researchers think that apples are more filling because they are less energy-dense, yet still deliver fiber and volume Also some natural compounds in them promote weight loss.

Apples are good for your heart,  Apples have been linked to a lower risk of heart disease One reason is that apples contain soluble fiber, which is the kind that can help lower your blood cholesterol levels.They also contain polyphenols, which have antioxidant effects. Many of these are concentrated in the peel.One of these polyphenols is a flavonoid called epicatechin, which may lower blood pressure.An analysis of studies found that high intakes of flavonoids were linked to a 20% lower risk of stroke .Flavonoids can help prevent heart disease by lowering blood pressure, reducing LDL oxidation and acting as antioxidants .Apples promote heart health in several ways. They’re high in soluble fiber, which helps lower cholesterol. They also have polyphenols, which are linked to lower blood pressure and stroke risk. 

They’re linked to a lower risk of diabetes .In one large study, eating an apple a day was linked to a 28% lower risk of type 2 diabetes, compared to not eating any apples. Even eating just a few apples a week had a similarly protective effect .It’s possible that the polyphenols in apples help prevent tissue damage to beta cells in the pancreas. Beta cells produce insulin in the body and are often damaged in people with type 2 diabetes.

So they were right, An apple a day helps keep the doctor away. And they taste good too.  Try this  great link with yummy recipes .    While you have an extra mess of apples, try them in a delicious dessert. too. Wrap it up pretty and  go knock on the door of your neighbor. The best gift is homemade.

This bite-size version of caramel apples is the ultimate fall treat.

Get the recipe at Mom Loves Baking. 

Tools youTurn this fall-time favorite into woodland creatures your kids will love with leftover Halloween candy.

Get the recipe.

Tools you

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pillow Wraps

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Spring is officially here !  And it has put me  in the mood to change the look of patio furniture. What better way than to update cushions and pillows. I have so many pillows and they are still in very good shape. This year I decided I would make Pillow Wraps to add to them . They add just the right touch to my patio and the cost was so budget friendly.  I purchased a roll of burlap ribbon from Hobby Lobby

and also used ribbons I already had on hand from prior projects.  You  can stencil your burlap ribbon or apply premade adhesive letters or sayings.Image result for adhesive letters for burlap hobby lobbyImage result for adhesive letters for burlap hobby lobbyImage result for adhesive letters for burlap hobby lobby

 

 

 

I love simple sewing projects that have a big impact.  And this project is super easy.  All you have to sew is the Velcro closure on the ends of ribbon . So it is only 4 seams.  When wrapping a 12 inch pillow, you cut your ribbon 30  inches. This gives you plenty of room to adjust your wrap .  

Okay, now let’s make one, you’re going to need:

An existing pillow

30 inch ribbon of burlap  or any ribbon you like to wrap around your pillow

Fusible Seam Tape or velcro

Summer Pillow Sleeves by Melissa Mortenson of polkadotchair.com

On the front of the pillow measure how much of the pillow you want covered by the burlap or ribbon, this plus 2” will be the width of your pillow sleeve piece. 

Cut and then sew your velcro backing to the each end of the ribbon.  

Adhere your premade decal on front of burlap or stencil your saying.

Wrap around your pillow. You are done. You can dress up your patio within 30 minutes for less than 15 dollars. Now that’s a bargain.

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National Bittersweet Chocolate Day

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Chocolate lovers, it is time once again to celebrate.  January 10 is annually recognized as National Bittersweet Chocolate Day.
 
Bittersweet chocolate is chocolate liquor to which sugar, cocoa butter and vanilla have been added.  It does have less sugar and more liquor than semisweet chocolate.  Unlike milk chocolate or white chocolate, it does not contain any milk solids. According to FDA standards, bittersweet chocolate must contain at least 35% chocolate liquor (a non-alcoholic liquid produced from cocoa beans).

Studies have revealed that there are certain health benefits from eating bittersweet chocolate. 

Consuming bittersweet chocolate on a daily basis is actually quite good for you. All variations of dark chocolate contain antioxidants that lower blood pressure and help protect your heart.

 This is an intense, creamy one-ingredient chocolate mousse adapted from the molecular gastronomist Hervé .  The nearly instant recipe also happens to be vegan; without the distraction of cream or eggs, a complex chocolate can shine. The mousse serves four, and it can be doubled. But even if you’re serving two, don’t be tempted to halve it.

This is a super easy, super rich. Follow the recipe to a T.
The mousse holds up quite a while too, so I was able to make this way ahead of time, and just scooped it into pretty glasses.
I didn’t have the arm strength to whisk by hand so cheated and used a hand mixer. 🙂
Everyone likes it, but it got a little….intense after a while, so I added a bit of high quality olive oil, which made it taste even more amazing

This is how the Spanish make their delicious “chocolate.” They use milk serve it hot with churros. The cold version has to be eaten immediately or the fat separates and floats to the top. I love it because It’s like getting a shot of espresso for a chocoholic.  Let’s Celebrate Bittersweet Chocolate Day !

 

 

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Bittersweet Chocolate Mousse
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Intensely Chocolate Mousse and so easy to make.
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Ingredients
  1. 285 grams bittersweet chocolate (about 10 ounces), roughly chopped, more as needed (see note)
  2. Fleur de Sel, to taste
Instructions
  1. Step 1Create an ice bath in a large bowl using ice and a little cold water. Nestle a smaller bowl in ice bath.
  2. Step 2Place chocolate and 1 cup water in a small pot and heat over medium. Whisk until mixture is melted and smooth, about 3 to 5 minutes.
  3. Step 3Immediately pour melted chocolate into the bowl in the ice bath. Vigorously whisk chocolate mixture by hand until thick, 3 to 5 minutes. The chocolate should be fluffy and form a mound when dolloped with the whisk (it should generally have the texture and appearance of mousse). If the mixture does not thicken, add a bit more chopped chocolate and remelt over the heat. Spoon into serving bowls and garnish with fleur de sel.
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Wine Bottle Tiki Lights

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Summertime is approaching and the bugs are back.  Living in Carolina, you are going to find yourself outside. Whether it is back acre, by the pool, playing corn hole in the yard or just relaxing at dusk on the deck,  those pesky little skeetzers come around.   I found the perfect way to reuse my wine bottles and deter the bugs too. 71q6yhyjIKL. SY679                                                                                                                                Source: Amazon

 

What You Need

 

1/2″ x 3/8″ copper coupling ($0.97)
Tiki replacement wick ($1.54)
Nylon thread seal tape ($.97)
Recycled wine bottle or beer bottle 

Citronella torch fuel (price not included)

Instructions

The construction is pretty simple:

1. Wrap the pipe wrap around the copper reducer many times. The opening on our wine bottle required about 15 times around so that it would stick and we actually inserted the smaller 3/8″ side into the bottle as the 1/2″ side didn’t fit (as compared to the original How-to). In the future, we’d also want to try it in beer bottles for smaller torches to place around the yard.

2. Insert the wick into the reducer.

3. Fill the bottle with Citronella and insert wick. Let the oil be absorbed into the wick before lighting.

4. Light and enjoy!

  It is a quick DIY project.  Only takes an half at the most to complete and you are set to enjoy that new bottle of wine on the deck as the sun sets.  No Bugs Allowed !

Relaxed Dinner Party for Eight

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French Country Picnic 2

It’s time for an Italian dinner party. I purchased some new wines for taste testing and I found on Pinterest the copycat recipe of Carrabba’s dipping oil. All that’s left is my son’s guaranteed-for-delicious spaghetti sauce recipe and add the finishing touches to the menu. I love dinner parties and will use any excuse for friends to stop by. Today I liked to share a few tips I use to create a fun dinner party.

What makes a great dinner party? Besides food, wine, and friends, what are the easiest ways to set a dinner party atmosphere? Well, here are my own top tips for creating the dinner party atmosphere. They are all really simple .

Before, I give you my tips, there is one important thing and it is the most important. To invite friends who are your friends and who you enjoy around your table. Whether you are serving a simple dish , grilling or several courses, your guests are here to spend time with you. This feeling comes from the heart and a relaxed and hospitable party begins it. The spirit of the hostess carries the party.

My favorite time of the day for a party to begin is dusk. Whether you are serving the meal from your deck , back porch or dining area, as evening sets in, people tend to relax and are ready to enjoy cocktails and conversation.

Midsummer Night

My first tip is to turn down the lights. It is the easiest thing to do and sets a tone of peacefulness.   Secondly, I light candles. You can purchase tea lights and place them in clear glass containers. Candles add movement and warmth to a table. They don’t have to be an expensive habit. I own the Luminara Real-Frame Effect candles that operate with a rechargeable battery. The flame appears so real. I never have to worry about fire, plus honestly, in the long run, they are less expensive than real candles.

Another tip is use fabric napkins. People enjoy the feel of fabric and they add a gracious touch to the table. They don’t have to be expensive. In fact, you can make your own .

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Source: www.lfinderhof.com

 

Be sure to bring the outdoors inside. It doesn’t have to be lavish, like a florist centerpiece. Whatever is growing in your yard, can be placed near the candles or even spread a little greenery and flowers throughout the serving dishes.

Always  have water and water glasses on the water and remember the salt and pepper. I add pitcher of water at each end of the table and several sets of salt and pepper.

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Source: www.elizabethannedesigns.com

Last but certainly not least, don’t forget the music. My pastime is dance and most of all my friends are dancers. So naturally, we love our music. I use Pandora and have preselected stations that play our favorite tunes. I set it on shuffle and it is like we have our own DJ in the booth. 

By the time, we have finished our meal, we are usually ready for another cocktail and enjoy dancing and learning new steps from each other on the deck.  We take the party outside , by the tabletop firepit  and  enjoy as the night moves in.

 

 

 

DIY Table Lights

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I love this time of year and at the end of a day, I really don’t want to go inside. The weather is cool but still enjoyable. Watching the sunset and the sky changing colors gives me such a restful feeling. I love my tabletop fire pit.  It adds just enough heat to keep me cozy. I found another great DIY outside project that takes only a hour to create and by night fall, I can enjoy the results with my tabletop fire pit.

Source:Pinterest

 

It is inexpensive too. I bought Dollar Tree solar lights and  flower pots . I already had the paints. Since I’m not crafty as an artist, I just pour a small amount of paint on the flower pots.  Let them dry. Insert your lights and you are all set with perfect little table lights. 

 

Sky lights

Now all I add is a glass of wine, toes up and watch the sunset. 

Easter Dinner

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imageEaster, which celebrates Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead, is Christianity’s most important holiday. It has been called a moveable feast because it doesn’t fall on a set date every year, as most holidays do. Instead, Christian churches in the West celebrate Easter on the first Sunday following the full moon after the vernal equinox on March 21. Therefore, Easter is observed anywhere between March 22 and April 25 every year. 

My Easter morning begin with Hot Cross Buns and Hot coffee. I wake at 4 am. Sunrise services at church begin soon. I love making this service. Seeing the sun rise gives me the reassurance that Jesus Christ  indeed was raised from death . How fitting to see “The Son ” rise on Easter morning. After this service, I chat with fellow Christians , glad to have this day to give pause and reflection to our faith.  We will be back in a couple of hours for worship service and afterwards, many of us have guests arriving for dinner to celebrate the day.  Our Christian friends who don’t have family nearby are invited to our homes. Our church family is close and we make sure  all can celebrate with friends on this special day. My traditional Easter Dinner begins with a Honey Basted Ham.   Most of my dinner menu can be prepared the day before, so my Easter Day can be enjoyed with family and friends. When family arrives, they always have a side dish. Our table soon becomes a feast fit for a king.  The children have their annual Easter Egg Hunt  in the back yard and hurry in with their baskets full of eggs to count,  to see who wins the big prize chocolate bunny. No one goes home empty handed. They are miniature bunnies for anyone who looked for eggs. Enjoying family and friends at Easter makes such a  special day. We gather around the table, hold hands and give God the Glory for his Beloved Son who is our Lord and Savior.  Wishing you all a very Blest and  Christlike Easter. 

 Spring Brunch Menu

Honey Basted Ham from My Recipes

 

Deviled Eggs

Deviled Eggs by Sandra Lee

 

All you need is a few minutes of prep before throwing these beautiful carrots in the oven to roast. Get the recipe at Damn Delicious.

Glazed Carrots by Country Living

Fresh green beans elevate this country classic to the urban palate. The beans can be blanched and refrigerated the day before. Toss them with good-quality bread crumbs on the day of the meal, and heat through. Recipe: Fresh Green Bean Casserole

Fresh Green Beans by Country Living

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Easter Tablescape by Southern Living

Gallery 1456349108 Wdy040116 Easter CenterpieceHappy Easter from Woman’s Day

 

Tabletop Fire Glass Pit

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Source:Pinterest
Source:Pinterest

Spring is here!  Spring Mornings in Carolina are beautiful. Waking up before the sun rises and you see the mellow moon casting its light through shades of pinks. As the sun shows it glow, for about an hour you can see the sun and moon . The moon fades away in white. And the sun lights the horizons with streaks of gold, pink, and blues. Sunrise and dusk are favorite parts of your day in Carolina. The air is still a tad nippy . You can bundle up with your cup of coffee and enjoy the view . I like sitting by a fire. i saw an idea on Pinterest I just had to try.  It is a FireGlass Pit. It was so easy. I only needed three items. A terracota pot, three cans of sterno and couple of bags of fire glass. Just what is fire glass? It is glass that has been crushed,  tempered and the edges are smooth. It doesn’t combust or leave an odor. 

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So how do you create your own tabletop pit ? Take your three sterno cans and place in your terracota bowl. I make a triangle shape . Add your fire glass. Completely surround your cans with the fire glass.  Fire Glass comes in assorted colors, so you have options on accenting your table. I love the blue. Watching the fire reflecting off the glass makes me feel cozy and the heat is just enough to warm the air while you enjoy the sunrise and your cup of coffee. It is the best way to start your Carolina morning.

Carolina Coleslaw

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North Carolina is known for its barbeque.  We love it so much we even have an app where to find the best bbq.   And you can’t eat it alone.  Carolina is known for its many different recipes of coleslaw.  There is creamy slaw, Asian slaw, milk slaw, vinegar slaw.  I have tried them all and my favorite is just too simple to make. You don’t have to pull out the handy grater or marinate it overnight.  It is another Sandra Lee moment.  My mother would call me out on it. But I swear by this recipe and know once you try it, you will put it in your recipe book.

Carolina Coleslaw
Semi Homemade ColeSlaw
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Ingredients
  1. 1 pound of bag shredded coleslaw mix
  2. 2/3 cup mayonnaise
  3. 2 TB sugar
  4. 2 TB apple cider
  5. 1 TB fresh parsley
  6. 3 green onion, finely chopped, save a little for the top of the coleslaw
  7. 1/4 cup of very fine chopped red pepper, and save a little on the top for garnishing
  8. 1 tsp salt
  9. 1/2 tsp pepper
  10. Put coleslaw mix into a large bowl .
  11. In another blow, add mayonnaise, sugar and cider vinegar. Mix well to make a dressing . Pour the dressing into the coleslaw mix and combine. Add the parsley, green onions , red peppers, salt and pepper.
  12. Refrigerate until ready to use.
https://thepamperedintrovert.com/
And thinking of the handy grater. I realized   gone are days of the hand grater.  We all have one still in our pantry. And it is way in the back. With blenders and choppers, the handy grater doesn’t get the appreciation it once did.    My grater was a gift when we married and I would never part with it. So instead of it hanging alone in the back of the pantry, I decided to dress it up and display it  in the kitchen.  It got so many compliments, I bought several , YES, I bought several, to decorate for gifts.  You never know what and when you are inspired by something.  The handy grater is now back in demand in a new way.

Grater

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bunny Ear Napkins

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image It’s spring! Fresh flowers are the best and easiest accents for Easter. They make a table come alive. There are so many table linens and napkins in spring colors. It is hard to choose. 

Easter Zig Zag Tablecloth

Source: Joss and Main

Personalised Colour In Easter Tablecloth

Source: Create Your Table Linens

A favorite of mine is to make bunny ears with the linen napkins. They look so adorable gracing the table for Easter. Just how to make them is easy.

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Source: Bunny Ears

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Fold the napkin in half and then in half again, forming a long rectangle.

Fold the right and left sides down to meet in the center, forming a point at the top.

Fold the bottom corners up, also meeting at the center.

Fold in the side corners so that they meet in a point. Your napkin should now be in a kite-like shape.

Very gently turn the napkin over and fold the top point downward.

 

Gently turn the napkin back over.

Roll the right side of the napkin over, a bit past the center point.
Fold the left side over and tuck it into the pocket on the right side.

Stand your napkin bunny upright. You may need to adjust the bottom to form a base.
Fluff the bunny ears and position the napkin on your plate.

There you have it. Cutest little bunny ears ever.     Happy Easter !

 


1812 on the Perquimans

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Perquimans County of North Carolina.  Its Indian meaning  is “ Land of the Beautiful Women.”  It is nestled  on the coast of North Carolina surrounded by the Albemarle Sound with Yeopim , Little River and Perquimans River snaking their way between the fingers of land.  It has over 100 miles of shoreline. It is tranquil,  quiet and serene.  

Along the Perquimans River on Old Neck Road, you will find a home that holds many hospitable memories and still is active as a Bed and Breakfast. It is the 1812 on the Perquimans. This beautiful two story home had been in the Rascoe family over 200 years. It was known as the Fletcher-Skinner-Nixon House.  In the early 1990’s, the mother of Peter Rascoe asked him would he save it. Peter and his wife, Nancy, were up for the challenge. In fact, they did most of the restorations.  Ms. Nancy, as I like to call her, was a teacher, but had stopped working outside the home to help her husband with the restorations.   However the part of Ms. Nancy that loves to share, inform and teach never left her .   She loved the home and she wanted others to see it’s beauty and an idea blossomed. A cousin suggested to Ms. Nancy to offer an etiquette camp for children.  She thought, “what if the children came and had a party as Gone with the Wind? She could teach etiquette , making it a fun experience. She would add swimming, canoeing, tennis and croquet.

The first etiquette class was in 1993. It was a handful of girls. Ms. Nancy led the classes and sports. Her husband, known as, Big Peter, cooked. A friend taught the Bible study and Miss Blue, the sweetest , most charming lady of the area, helped at the inn, cleaned and played the piano. The Racsoes were in their sixties  and they loved the young energy in the home.

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My thoughts of Ms. Nancy consist of her genuine fondness of others.  She has a keen sense of humor  and her sincerity shines.  Anyone who knows Ms. Nancy  soon appreciates her outlook as a Southern Lady and her Nancy-isms stay with you long after you depart from 1812.   Some of her sayin’s are on folding a towel… “Inside to inside, flip over and don’t let the tag show.” On how to say “washrag”… It is a bath cloth.  On how to say trashcan…. It is a wastebasket.  On eating soup the proper way…”Out to Sea and back to me.”  And how to shake a hand … “No wobbly fish”.

1812 on the Perquimans is still active. Much has happened since 1993. Big Peter and Ms.Blue have passed .  A nanny that visited along with one of the girls years ago is now with Ms. Nancy . Ms. Sitterson and others help Ms. Nancy in keeping the school active.  Ms. Nancy is still teaching and sayings her Nancy-isms.  The children leave with knowing how to place a napkin, set a formal table, play tennis, have devotional , all in the setting of a Gone with the Wind home. 

And before the children leave they know this quote…. Etiquette is today what it has always been. A code of behavior based on kindness, consideration and unselfishness. Something that should not and will ever change.

Perquimans

If you happen to ride through on Hwy 17 in North Carolina, reserve a night’s stay at the 1812 on the Perquimans. The reviews are all 5 star and you will enjoy the experience of true Southern Elegance.

Queen Sugar

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imageWho doesn’t love a great Southern read ?   Our Southern culture offers stories of tall tales to romantic spins and mysteries unsolved.  If you’re from the South, the fictional characters of any southern book seem familiar . You either have an uncle, cousin or  close family member that resembles the story being told. Stories of southern families  resonates with you because you have lived the story. How many times have you heard your Mother say, I could write a book.   Yep, in the South , we do love our manners and airing dirty laundry is not allowed. It’s just not Southern.  

Recently  I read that Oprah’s Harpo Productions had purchased the screen rights to the book  “Queen Sugar.” Filming has already begun and it will be airing on OWN as a series.  I am looking forward to seeing how they will bring this book alive.

Queen Sugar by  Natalie Baszile took eleven years to write. This storyline developed over time as she visited the South. Her depiction of Louisiana’s Sugar Mills takes you back into where we were and how the South grew.

The story begins  when a daughter inherits a sugarcane farm in Louisiana of 800 areas. 

 

Charley and her daughter arrive from California in time for the summer growing season but nothing could have prepared her for what she was getting into.  Her judgmental but big-hearted grandmother tells her, cane farming is always going to be a white man’s business and she, as a black woman from the South, will not be able to compete.   The summer begins and Charley must balance the  challenges of her farm and the family dynamics of a homesick daughter and her troubled brother and  showing the Southern farmers she can compete and make a profit in the sugarcane business. 

It is a great story of the South and its culture.  You can download it from Amazon on Kindle.

Watch for the upcoming opening of the series on OWN.  

 

 

 

Transferware Florals

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TransferwareTransferware and flowers. I love the combination. Nothing speaks as elegant as redwedge and roses.  Transferware has been used in Southern homes since the big plantations of 1800’s.  It is a carry over from England.  The transfer-printing technique, was developed in England in the eighteenth century .The process permits the application of a printed decoration, using copper plates and tissues onto pottery, china, chintz. English transferware became  extremely popular in the United States ,  a fact that British potters embraced. A number of the major tableware firms produced goods exclusively for the American market.  Specific colors, in particular pink and dark blue were exclusively produced for export to America. Even today  a small area in the north of Stafford County, England, remains the pottery capital of the world.

 

 

Cottage floral in a purple transferware sugar bowl. The only thing better than purple is more purple.

Silks make a nice display in transferware. There are many high quality silks available that at first glance seem to be fresh flowers. This piece is available at Bequiled Again.

Pink tulips & red transferwear!:

This simple and elegant arrangement was uploaded  from Pinterest.

When designing in transferware, you are thinking one large bloom in the center as a focal point. Then build around it with smaller blooms. Greens or foliage is placed in between for the eyes to rest, accenting the blooms contrast.  The foliage also supports the back and sides of an arrangement. A container or vase should be chosen in proportion to the flowers. Put big, showy peonies in a big vase, and delicate lily-of-the-valley in a dainty, old-fashioned crystal or china vase. Is your floral arrangement going to be sitting against a high wall  or will be seen from all sides ?  Think about where the arrangement will be displayed.

Transferware adds a touch of softness to any area it is displayed.

As much as I enjoy arranging flowers, I  love even more the smiles when I give the arrangements away.  I’ve enjoyed giving bouquets to my elderly friend who lives in a nearby nursing home, a birthday bouquet to a friend who moved to an condo and no longer has a garden of her own, and the surprised happiness when giving a design to employees of a local hospital.

I love fresh flowers. You can achieve your own cutting garden, if you’re gardening space is limited. Plant pots full of peonies and hydrangea. They make beautiful accents to any outdoor patio or apartment balcony. Peonies and Hydrangea have multiple blooms and will give you several bouquets through the summer.

My cutting garden has mostly pink, purple and white, because I like those colors. I plant a few annuals in our front garden bed, to fill in the gaps around the perennials, so some years we also have shades of soft yellow from the perennials.

You also need greens in a cutting garden. Plant varieties of hosta and  ferns. They  grow easily along the shady side of a house. Hosta comes in a variety of shades of green, from a blue-gray to a brilliant lime green, to striped, and it’s fun to combine the right shade of hosta to complement the flowers in a bouquet. I love the gray-green hosta leaves against our palest pink flowers, while the lime green hosta leaves look gorgeous with dark purple lavender. And hosta is hardy. In North Carolina, wax myrtle is indegious to the area and it lemon scent and hardy wood added to the design gives a deeper texture of blends. 

Pick  plants you love. That sounds obvious, but there are fads in garden plants just as there are in everything else. If you like a plant , plant it , nourish it and bring it inside. It is your garden.  Enjoy the rewards and show off your beautiful transferware bouquet.

Visit Carolyn Aiken page on Pinterest for many great ideas.

Sunday Brunch Quiche

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Quiche

Brunch is good any day, but Sunday Brunch is special. A day of reflection and worship. A day of visiting family and friends.  I look forward to Sunday Brunch, especially with the weather becoming springlike. I found a recipe recently that I rate excellent. It is a recipe from Southern Living and it is not only healthy but delicious . It is a perfect for a springtime brunch. It has asparagus, spring onions and feta as its main ingredients.  With Easter Brunch coming, it certainly will be a great addition to your menu . And it is easy to make in thirty minutes.

Asparagus, Spring Onions and Feta Quiche
Serves 6
called Aunt Rose's Quiche
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Ingredients
  1. 1 pkg. refrigerated piecrust
  2. 2 Tb salted butter
  3. 2 cups thinly sliced spring onions
  4. 1 bunch fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into one inch pieces
  5. 2 tsp salt
  6. 3/4 tsp pepper
  7. 1 cup heavy cream
  8. 8 large eggs
  9. 2 Tbs thinly sliced chives
  10. 2 Tbs chopped parsley
  11. 1/8 tsp nutmeg
  12. 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven at 425 degrees. Roll out the piecrust and fit into a 10 in deep dish dish. Bake this for 14 minutes with piecrust lined with foil and pie weights inside. Remove the foil and weights and continue to cook for another10 minutes at 350 degrees.
  2. Meanwhile, melt butter in medium skillet. Add onions, and cook about 10 minutes and then stir in asparagus, sprinkle with the salt and pepper. remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes
  3. Whisk together cream, eggs, chives, parsley, nutmeg and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place half of onion mixture about a cup, into the pie shell. Sprinkle with feta cheese. Repeat the layers once and then sprinkle feta on top.
  4. Bake in preheated oven until set about an hour. Cool on baking sheet about 20 minutes before eating. Yummy!
https://thepamperedintrovert.com/

Beautiful Bulbs for Spring

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purple shamrock: Flower Oxalis triangularis , Purple shamrock imageThe purple-leaf shamrock is a low-growing foliage plant for the garden that also makes an attractive indoor plant with its rich, vibrant, purple leaves.  The dark colors blend well and accent the colors of spring flowers. The touch of dark lavender among the bright yellows and whites and blues make a soft contrast in spring floral arrangements. To jumpstart the growth of the shamrock in the spring, you need to start in January. 

Fill three-quarters of the container with potting mix. Set the bulbs (as many as the container will hold) on top, then scoop in more potting mix, to about an inch from the rim. Wet the bulbs with tepid water, then don’t water again until you see growth, in about three weeks. In about eight weeks, you will see blooms. Purple shamrock will grow indoors year-round if you give it three or more hours of sunlight a day and water when it’s dry to the touch. You can replant outside after using the purple shamrock as a spring arrangement. Take the bulbs and plant  outside in April. Outside, purple shamrocks should be planted  areas that are somewhat shaded.  They need to be in the front of the bed to be seen, or they could be in a container that needs season-long color as they are low growing plants. When the weather is warm and there is adequate moisture, the shamrock blooms with small, pale pink, bell-like flowers. By fall, they will have multiplied themselves. Now, it’s time for the big decision.  They can be dug and put into a pot and play the role of an indoor plant during the winter, or it is possible to store them like other summer bulbs in a dormant state and reactivate them in the spring. Because they multiply, you are able to do both.  You can use them year round in the foyer centerpiece and also store bulbs for using in your forced bulbs arrangements for your spring tablescapes.

If the bulbs are going to be stored for the winter, dig chunks of roots and bulbs and gently remove as much soil as possible without having the chunks of tightly packed bulbs break apart. Place into a cardboard box or paper bags and bring into the house until the foliage dies down and dries up. Store the clumps of bulbs in a container like a cardboard box or paper bag and nestle them into a bed of dry sphagnum peat moss. The peat is acidic and it prevents any rots if they should start.  Cool and dark conditions keep them dormant. Please don’t allow to freeze. 

Mixed along with strong colors of greens and white, they make a beautiful contrast.

Most bulbs need a dormant period to bloom in spring.  If you didn’t think to save your bulbs and give them a rest, you still have can have forced bulbs in the spring.  Purchase your bulb plants from any garden center in early spring.  I use already growing daffodils, hyacinths and tulips. 

Forcing bulbs

 

I use a white transferware piece bowl and put a small amount of soil inside. Break the bulbs apart and gently arrange in your container. Once I have arranged my flowers, I had another thin layer of soil, just to secure them . I add reindeer moss as an added appeal. You can also use Spanish moss. Be sure not to overwater as it will rot the bulbs. Just keep the soil slightly moist.

It’s National Gum Drop Day !

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It’s National Gum Drop Day !

If the Valentine chocolates weren’t enough for celebration and indulgence, how about a box of gumdrops. February 15 is National Gum Drop Day. When and where this celebration originated is in question, but  I’m so glad the gumdrop deserves it day on the celebration calendar.

Gum Drops were used in one of my first creations. My Mother had a clear  plastic tree with little points on the end. It was a sad looking tree. The first time I saw it, I wondered why in the world  Mother pulled it out at Christmas. She sent me next door to the local grocer that sold penny candy. I gave the grocer the handwritten note from my mother and he went to the candy counter and filled up a brown little bag with assorted gumdrops. He handed me a couple in my hand and said “Enjoy”..

ProdDetail Retina 23570source Mast General Store

When I got home, Mother poured the gumdrops out on the table beside the spindly little tree. She began sticking them onto the tree. Oh my goodness. For a six year old , this was as good as making paper snowflakes . I designed this little tree over and over. Sometime putting all one-color gum drops. Sometimes in just white and red or red on one side and green on the other. Mother would set the tree in the center of the dining table for breakfast guests. It became my responsibility to keep the tree full of gumdrops. I looked forward to end of the day to decorate it all over again. When the little spindly tree was put away at Christmas, I missed it as much as packing up the ornaments for next year. I have my own spindly tree. In fact , I have three. They are in different colors and I even used my gumdrop tree at Easter with Easter egg colors of gumdrops.

Enjoy your GumDrop Day. Play a game of CandyLand . Watch a movie with gumdrop dots and popcorn. Even CandyCrush  loves it’s gumdrops.

 

 

 

Just Because it’s Valentines Day

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Last minute goodies for the children. Floral arrangements completed, Valentine cards in the mail, chocolate covered strawberries done. I still have a few gifts to finish. This idea is so easy and best of all,  you are not in the kitchen.  I found it at Design Mom . I created the tags in silhouette and use  print and cut. The jute twine was two for a dollar at Target.   The glassine bags can be ordered from Amazon. I purchased four dozen dunkin donuts especially decorated for Valentines.  Super easy gift for saying I am thinking of you on this special day.

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You can download your name tag file  here. Please visit Design Mom for her other great ideas.    Wishing you and yours a  Happy Valentines Day .

 

The Pretty Pineapple

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I recently visited a doctor to discuss some minor surgery. We set the date and she gave me a packet of instructions in a glossy folder to take home for reference in how to prepare for my upcoming surgery. Starting 2 weeks before surgery were several things. Number one was to take a multivitamin daily. Add to that were supplements of Vitamin A and Vitamin C. The next supplement was Bromelain. It said I could pick this up at a local health food store. I didn’t have a clue what it was. Much to my surprise, I found it was a pineapple enzyme. It helps in reducing swelling. And the instructions said to continue it for four weeks.   I am curious by nature and I researched it. I found lots about the benefits of  Bromelain     Another reason I love The Pretty Pineapple.  

    Tumblr O2en3lrFAP1v5e3oco1 1280  Pineapples have been in my life as long as I can remember. Our Bed and Breakfast Hotel had a door knocker with two pineapples and the word WELCOME underneath. I learned early the pineapple was a symbol of hospitality in the South. We had a pineapple toothpick holder; pineapple canister set and even towel sets of pineapple print. Southern recipes love the pineapple. You can find it in main dishes, salsas, pizzas, jams, cakes, pies, ice cream, drinks and cocktails. Nothing much better than a sliced grilled pineapple served with chicken or even by itself with a scoop of ice cream. Try these recipes .

Pineapples were first discovered by the Europeans in 1493 on the Caribbean Island now known as Guadeloupe.

When Christopher Columbus brought pineapples back to Europe, attempts were made to cultivate the sweet fruit. They soon realized that the pineapples needed a tropical climate to flourish.

By the end of the 16th century, Portuguese and Spanish explorers introduced pineapples into many of their Asian, African and South Pacific colonies and these countries still grow the pineapples today.

Pineapples were a welcome gift in the tropics.  Years ago, ways of travel were slow and fresh pineapples were a rare luxury.

The fresh pineapple was highly sought after, becoming a true symbol of prestige and social class. In fact, the pineapple, because of its rarity and expense, was such a status item that if a hostess displayed the fruit as part of a decorative centerpiece, she was awarded social awe and recognition. Colonial confectioners rented pineapples to households by the day. The same fruit later in the day was sold to other, more affluent clients who actually ate it.

In the 1600s, King Charles II of England posed for an official portrait and in this portrait he is seen receiving a pineapple as a gift. , It symbolized a gift of royal privilege. The pineapple was used by political cartoonists during the Napoleonic Wars to symbolize extravagance.

During the 20th century, the pineapple primarily symbolized hospitality. American Sea Captains placed the fruit outside their homes to signal to friends that they had returned from sea. It was this act that began the trend of stone pineapples being placed at the entrance of the finer homes.Tumblr O2en38C1PW1v5e3oco1 1280

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 Today we see pineapples on just about everything in the South. It is on gates, bedposts, crockery, napkins, tablecloths and door knockers.  

There is even a pineapple fountain at Waterfront Park in Charleston SC

Pineapple Fountain Waterfront Park Charleston South Carolina Barry Cunninghamsource: SC Chamber of Commerce

  The Pretty Pineapple. It is my favorite fruit.

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source Pinterest

 

 Decorating with pineapples is easy. The Pretty Pineapple sitting by itself is gorgeous. And when you add a ring of plumeria or hibiscus flowers around the bottom of it, you are ready for a luau… Add a few coconuts or strands of shells near the pineapples and you have a natural look for the party.

I use pineapples in floral design quite a bit. The skin of the pineapple is so visually interesting that is looks beautiful when used as a vase for floral centerpieces. Cut the top off of a pineapple remove the fruit from the inside with a pineapple corer. Add floral foam snugly to the inside of the skin. Wrap floral wire around the stems of flowers, and insert the wire into the foam until you have a beautiful centerpiece. Place a wire into the center of the spiky-stemmed top, and use it as part of the arrangement. Voila, it’s sings sunshine.

And  at Christmas, you will find The Pretty Pineapple gracing the entrances of churches, and the  grand homes and taverns of the South. The symbol that all are welcomed and will receive Southern Hospitality.

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source:  pinterest

 Plan a trip to Williamsburg VA and you can spot The Pretty Pineapple in every crook and crannie, even in the stables and their beautiful gardens.  Please share your ideas of how you use the pretty pineapple in your home. The possibilities are endless.