Deck the Halls!

We just love decorating around here...and it has only just begun. There is still time to hang wreaths...and pine garland on the banister. We took a lovely drive this afternoon in the country...what a gorgeous day to enjoy what is now left of the snow, quaint farmhouses, horses...we tried to imagine what it would be like to ride in a sleigh.

Jewel Tea Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I just wanted to share some photos of the lovely table my mom set this year. These Jewel Tea Autumn Leaf dishes are the same ones she ate off as a child and tells the story of how she remembers the "Jewel Tea Man" going door-to-door selling pieces of china.

Holiday Inspired

Is it too early to start humming "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas....?" I have been searching images of holiday decor + trying to get inspired, as I'm entertaining this year. Last year was a complete bust (not really...cuz we got to have an intimate gathering with just G'ma and G'pa...hee hee) due to the weather. I want to keep it simple, but lovely. What do you think?

I'm Hooked

Aren't these coat hooks so great? You can find them at www.jjevensen.etsy.com

I want one for my girls...all that stuff that piles up in the entryway...what a darling way to organize the clutter.

Mexican Coffee Monday

Okay, so maybe you don't have time on a Monday morning to make Mexican Coffee...consider this delicious and simple recipe on a relaxed Sunday instead...or tonight after dinner. What could be more delicious on a crisp fall morning than coffee, cinnamon and chocolate? oh, and heavy cream?! Enjoy...

Mexican Coffee:

1 1/2 Cups double strength hot gourmet coffee

3/4 tsp. cinnamon

4 tsp. chocolate syrup

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 Cup heavy cream

1 T sugar

Combine cream, nutmeg, sugar and cinnamon then whip. Using four demitasse cups put 1 tsp. chocolate syrup in each. Stir the remaining 1/2 tsp. cinnamon into the hot gourmet coffee. Pour the coffee into the cups and stir. Top with spiced whip cream. Makes 4 servings. Yum.

Sneak Peek

Painting has begun on the project...Can you see [in the home theater] the flannel grey walls and the bronze colored ceiling? More photos to come...

Petite Bouquet

The girls and I picked up some dried flowers (only $4) from the farm a few weeks ago...and have had them hanging around the house. So, I decided to make a little bouquet using one of my favorite white hobnail milk glass vases. I like it (a lot).

Thanks, Candice!

Do you know Candice Olson...the (very) tall blonde on HGTV? And don't you just love her electrician, Chico? I appreciate her signature design sense...she uses lots of great lighting, mirrors, and textures. I love that her finished spaces are quite glamorous. See some of her work below:

This one [below] is definitely more my style...the sofa+chairs are clean-lined and classic, but there is a touch of warmth in the wood casing and coffee table, antique desk chair and...do you see that bird cage back in the corner? I also love the traditional fabric used on the floor length panels. Hmmm...I may have to use this room as my "inspiration" for the new project.