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Friday, September 30, 2016

Fall dinner party

Hello, dear friends.  TGIF!  Last weekend we had some friends over for a small dinner party.  I have eaten a lot of the Mister's dinners, but I've got to say that this meal goes into the Hall of Fame.  The Chef's intention was to create a menu that represents the tastes of the season. Not only did he do that, I have to say that this dinner contributed to some serious Autumn calorie intake.





The Mister topped the brie in a pear fruit paste and caramelized pecans and encased it in pie dough. 










For hors d'oeuvres, we served the brie, toasted Naan chips, and grilled sausage.  



We enjoyed our cocktails and apps in the sunroom.




Daylight view.










I was excited to use my new love, the mercury glass pumpkins on my table.  I also stopped at a junk shop antique shop and bought a few tarnished silver plated creamers for little flower bouquets around the table.




The main course was cider brined grilled pork with "onions three ways".  The pork was stuffed with polenta, pancetta, and leeks.  The chop was accompanied by a rich red onion marmalade and topped with pickled shallots.  A grilled vegetable ramekin accompanied the pork.  



The crowning glory was a pumpkin bread pudding with cranberry marmalade and topped off with cinnamon sauce Anglaise.  I would show you a picture of it, but I was in such a hurry to serve everyone and inhale mine, I forgot to take a photo. 

It was a delightful evening with wonderful friends and well worth the self-imposed fast that I will be on for the next month.

Have a great weekend!

Until next time...






Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Needlepointing My Way Through Hodgepodge

Hello, dear friends.  Is anybody having trouble getting up in the morning like me?  The open windows and cooler temps make for comfy sleeping weather.  Thank the Lord I don't have toddlers.  They would have to learn to make their own breakfast and drive themselves to school every morning. 







1.  Have you ever been to and/or lived near the desert?  What did you think?  Travel and Leisure lists the 'coolest' American desert towns as -

Palm Springs CA, Virginia City  NE, Bend OR, Winslow AZ, Marfa TX, Grand Junction CO, Silver City NM, Moab UT,  Taos NM, Yakima WA, Borrego Springs CA, Terlingua TX, and St. George UT, and Tubac.


Have you been to any of these?  Would you like to visit a desert town?  Which on the list would you like to see?

I have not been to any of the places mentioned.  The one that I would like to visit is Palm Springs.  


My first stop would be the fabulous flea market that is the talk of the town.  And it's not just for the goods.  Rumor has it that it's a great spot for star spotting.


My second stop would be the Walk of Stars.

I told you I was shallow. 




2.  What's a plan or project you've deserted in the past year?



There are a few needlepoint projects that desperately need my attention. 



3.  Desert-dessert?  Share two or three words you find yourself having to think twice about when it comes to spelling.



Grammarly corrects me on my spelling of hors d'oeuvres every time.  Remind me to put a little extra something in Mr. Grammarly's Christmas stocking this year.





4.  High and dry, like watching paint dry, dry run, dry as dust, not a dry eye in the house... which phrase can you relate to currently? Explain.



Probably not a dry eye in the house because I'm a sucker for a sentimental commercial like this one that's on about 25 times a day for Amazon Prime.



5.  How often do you frequent the dry cleaners?  Starch or no starch?



I use the dry cleaners a lot more in the winter than I do the summer.  The price of dry cleaning here in the Northeast is about 3 times the price than in Texas.  It might be cheaper to buy new stuff!?! 

Extra starch, please.




6.  What's a food or beverage you enjoy that's named for a place?



It took me less than 10 seconds to come up with an answer to this one.



7.  Do you need solitude?


You bet I need solitude.
At least 8 hours a day.



8. Insert your random thought.



Stop over and say hello to my friend, The Vintage Contessa who writes about our visit in beautiful Newport over the Summer.  She is true royalty and loads of fun.    

Until next time...



















  

Sunday, September 25, 2016

Black & White and Fall All Over

Hello, dear friends.  Happy Sunday.  I hope that you are enjoying your weekend.

I think that I'm nesting.  Every Fall, I find myself spending a lot more time at Homegoods and on Pinterest.

One of the first things that I pull out when beginning my indoor Fall decorating is two gifts that my dear friend, Kate the Great gave me a couple of years ago.  I cherish them both because every time I glance at them, I think of Kate. 

I love mixing black and white, especially if it is the beautiful MacKenzie-Childs, with my traditional Fall decor.  So, while pinning the other day, I picked the best to share with you today.




I adore tassels and Kate gave me this one.


And this darling pumpkin was given to me from KTG too.




I used a black and white bow on my Fall wreath last year.


Horchow



Hyacinths for the Soul

Sarah, is my friend and writer of one of my favorite blogs.  She has a beautiful collection of MacKenzie-Childs.




mc



ana rosa tumbler




mes petites choses


etsy

Amazon

Hometalk

Amazon


Amazon


quintessence

Amazon

thecharmofthehome blogspot




 memehill.com


Is black and white check part of your Fall decor?



Until next time...





This photo gives a whole new meaning to the term lucky dog.

Friday, September 23, 2016

Mad About Mercury Glass





Hello, dear friends.  TGIF!  The other night, I enjoyed another fabulous evening with my book club buds.  This group of ladies appreciates a hardy laugh and a glass of vino as much as a good book.  It was held at a beautiful antique home on the water.  I felt like I was on a movie set.


Amazon

We read and discussed Orphan Train.  Everyone enjoyed it very much.






In my continuous quest in my search for the perfect Fall table setting, I found myself falling in love.  Don't get nervous - I'm not going to pull a Brangelina move.  I found myself enthralled with mercury glass.  I think I may be reverting back to my childhood.  I used to adore things that were shiny and shimmery.


HGTV

Pottery Barn 


Pinterest



tumbler





Buyers Select






I just think that mercury glass gives the table just enough sparkle and elegance.




engagedandinspired.com 


bhg
Wouldn't these be cute at each table setting?
Amazon
crop divas.com
Love times three!



Pinterest

Amazon

rockmywedding


Pottery Barn


Hometalk


I spent the day yesterday on a pilgrimage in search of mercury glass pumpkins.   After combing through practically every Homegoods and Marshalls in Massachusetts,  mission accomplished. 


google

I will share my photos with you next week.  In the meantime, I hope that your weekend is full of sparkle.
Amazon


Until next time...








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