My Cozy Home

berry pie & my hometown featured in country living mag

     I was so excited when I opened my new Country Living magazine (September issue) on Thursday and found that my hometown of Rathdrum, ID was featured on page 52.  The Vintage Barn Antiques show is a twice-yearly event held in Rathdrum by Rolane Hopper.  I lived and went to school in Rathdrum (go Hawks!).  Anyway, I'm sure you can see why I would be excited to see my little hometown in one of my favorite magazines.  It's a beautiful place and is also home to Juanita Carmack - The Salsa Chick who has also been in Country Living as a featured entrepreneur.  Yay Rathdrum, and yay Vintage Barn Antiques!  My mom goes to their shows and tells me how great they are - I'm so envious!

     In other exciting news, Evy and I made a berry pie together using The Farm Chick's recipe for both the pie and the crust.  I highly recommend it if you don't have a favorite crust recipe already.  The recipe is for strawberry rhubarb, but we couldn't find rhubarb anywhere - not frozen, not fresh.  Instead I decide to do a strawberry blueberry pie using the exact same recipe.  It was wonderful!  I also really love strawberry rhubarb so as soon as I can get my hands on some rhubarb I will try that one as well.  If you want to do the berry pie that I did, just do equal parts of each fruit.

     Check out some of the recipes at The Farm Chicks.  I've made their blackberry crisp recipe and it's very good and so easy.  You can us what ever fruit you like if you're not a blackberry fan.  I've used peaches and blackberries - both are excellent with vanilla ice cream.

 

                                                                                                                                                                  

The apron is one I got at The Farm Chicks - not made by them, but one of the vendors who was at the show - I don't remember who made it and there is no label on it.  I'd love to be able to pass along the name of the person who created it.    Evy's apron was made by my very talented mom.  It's a vintage pattern.  I have one as well that she made for me.

                                                                                                                                                                  

I was trying to do little cut outs on the top of my pie, but I didn't have a cutter that was small enough.  I was trying to do something that looked like the crust that The Farm Chicks did for their strawberry rhubarb pie.  Does anyone know where I can find some little cut outs like the one used below? Their pie recipe was also featured in Country Living magazine.

 

Strawberry rhubarb pie - INGREDIENTS:

• 2 disks Grandma's Pie Dough (1/2 recipe) see recipe
• 1 1/3 pounds rhubarb, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1/3 pound strawberries, hulled and halved
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour

DIRECTIONS

• Heat the oven to 375°F. Roll out one disk of dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness, and transfer to a 9-inch pie pan. Set aside and keep chilled. Roll the remaining dough to 1/8-inch thickness and cut slits or use a miniature star cutter to create vents. Combine the rhubarb, strawberries, sugar, and flour in a large bowl, and transfer to the prepared pie pan; drape the rolled-out dough over the pie. Trim the edges of both crusts, leaving a 1/2-inch overhang. Fold the dough under, lightly pinching to seal the top and bottom crusts. Crimp around the rim and chill for 10 minutes. Bake on the center shelf of the oven until golden brown — 45 to 55 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

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Pie Dough -INGREDIENTS:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 3/4 cups cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 egg (extra large)

DIRECTIONS

• Combine the flour, salt, and sugar in a large bowl. Cut in the butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Whisk the vinegar, egg, and 1/2 cup of ice water together and mix into the flour mixture with your hands until just combined. Transfer to a clean work surface, and gently press to form a dough. Divide the dough into 4 equal parts. Shape each into a ball, flatten slightly to form a disk, and wrap in plastic. Chill for at least 1 hour.

So, would I be obsessing if I pointed out that my face looks distorted due to a shadow on the fridge?  Okay, yes, obsessing - any way, it's a shadow...just saying ;o)

                                                                                                                                                                                                

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

On deck for my next post will be pictures of the wonderful crown and witch's hat that I purchased from the very talented Rosemary.                                                                                                                                                                  

fairy cake recipe, tea parties, and summer bedspreads of yesteryear

I neglected to add the recipe for the fairy cakes in my last post.  They were very good!  The recipe is from "Cupcakes!" by Elinor Klovans - the book is pictured here from a few posts ago.  For anyone who has the book, the cupcakes (fairy cakes) are on pg. 23 and the frosting is on pg 34.

easy-mix yellow cupcake batter

Batter for 12 regular cupcakes, 9 big-top cupcakes, 6 extra-large cupcakes, or 42 mini-cupcakes

Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 23 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.  Cool for 10 minutes prior to frosting.

1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 large egg

1 large egg yolk

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup canola or corn oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup sour cream (I used low fat)

Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a medium bowl and set aside.

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the egg, yolk, and sugar until thickened and lightened to a cream color, about 2 minutes.

Stop the mixer and scrape the sides of the bowl as needed during mixing.  On low speed, mix in the oil and vanilla until blended.  Mix in the sour cream until no white streaks remain.  Mix in the flour mixture until it is incorporated and the batter is smooth.  The batter is ready to bake.

Fill each paper liner with a scant 1/4 cup of batter, to about 1/2 inch below the top of the liner.  Bake just until the tops feel firm and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 23 minutes.

Frosting

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

3 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

3 to 4 tablespoons whole milk

Decorations or additions such as colored sugar, sprinkles, finely chopped chocolate, etc.

In a a large bowl, using an electric mixer on low speed, beat the butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and almond extract together with 3 tablespoons milk, then add up to 1 tablespoon more milk if needed to form a creamy, smooth, spreadable frosting. 

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Evy and I decided to have a tea party at the park near us, right next to a duck pond.  Evy's friends Sophie, and Mr. Barrington also attended said tea party.  Mr. Barrington does love a good tea party.

                                                                                                                                                                      

This is Evy's summer bedspread.  It reminds me of summer nights of years past - a soft breeze fluttering through the curtains, crickets chirping, the smell of lilacs wafting through the opened window.  I found it at an antique store in North Dakota a couple of years ago in anticipation of Evy's big girl bed.  I really like it.  And as you can see, Sophie changed from her tea party clothes to her riding ensemble.  Such is the life of a society girl.

                                                                                                                                                                                    

Hope you're having a great weekend!  And thank you so much for the well wishes, and the welcome back messages.  I very much appreciate it - you guys are so wonderful :o)

fairy cake fun...

I know...I know...where the blazes have I been right?  Well, I took some much needed down time....from virtually everything.  And now, I'm peeking back in and hoping you'll understand.  I wanted to post some pictures of Evy and I decorating the fairy cakes we made together.  I'll freely admit that I love calling cupcakes by their British name...it really is a better name I think.  Evy agrees.

Look at the concentration on that little girl's face.  Evy wants you to know that applying sprinkles to fairy cakes is no simple task.  It takes precision, focus, and a steady hand...especially when you are four.

Notice my apron?...it's from The Farm Chicks.  My mom got it for me a couple of years ago.  I was lucky enough to go to the Farm Chicks show in Spokane, WA this year with my mom.  I'll have to take a picture of the new apron I got.  It's so cute - it can be frequently seen on a certain Evy who is convinced that it is a skirt that she should be able to wear to school, to the store, to the park, and while napping.  We visited my mom in Idaho in June - all planned around the Farm Chicks show.  It was very fun....VERY crowded, but very fun.  I got some cute stuff.  My mom got the autographs of The Farm Chicks.

   

                                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                              

We went to the beach on the 4th and had a great time...maybe the most fun was getting Evy a different snack or drink every 1.25 minutes.  Just as I would lay down again, or try to read even three words in my book...."Mommy, I'd like a snack....I'd like a drink...I'd like, I'd like".  Steve had his earphones in and was apparently unable to hear the constant requests for sustenance.  Yep, super fun.  Aside from that it was very nice to spend some time at a beach.  It had been a long time for me so I really enjoyed it. 

I do hope you have all been well.  I am sorry for my absence and I very much appreciate your kind emails and comments.  I am grateful for the friends I have made while blogging and I hope you'll be understanding of my time away.  I look forward to catching up with you my friends.

alive and well...just needed a little break

I'm so sorry to have been what amounts to the worst blogging friend ever.  I don't know what happened exactly.  It was like I completely rebelled against the computer at home.  No email, no blogs, I've barely watched T.V.  So, I needed a little break and I couldn't even bring myself to update my blog to say I was taking a break.  I knew I would want to start checking in with people and before you know it hours have gone by once again.  I am very sorry for any worry I may have caused or general annoyance.  It wasn't intended I assure you.  During my absence I gave up pop - my beloved Diet Coke :(  I adjusted what I was eating - smaller portions and trying to cut out sugar and lower my fat intake, and I've increased my work outs from almost non-existent (which they had become lately), to five days a week.  I reached a breaking point.  Too much sitting around eating whatever happened to make its way into my hands, and not enough taking care of myself properly.  I will keep blogging that is for sure, but I just needed some downtime from always being on the computer and sitting around.  I feel really good and am very happy with the changes I've made recently...although some days I really just want a bacon cheeseburger, fries, and a chocolate milkshake...once and a while doesn't hurt I don't think.  A girl can't be deprived all the time! 

I will post soon with pictures of all of my new Nancy Drew goodies...the movie just came out!  My copy is patiently waiting for me to watch it on Friday night.  Can't wait! 

I'll post this weekend.  I hope you all are well.  I've missed you and am glad to be back.

Thank you for your patience!

back from Portland, on to St. Louis - a stop in between at home

Portland was very nice even if I was there for work.  I stayed in a great old hotel, The Benson, and was able to get out and shop a little one night.  Anybody heard of Powell's Bookstore?  It's ginormous!  I spent some time roaming the isles and purchased several books and magazines for myself and Evy.  I also did a bit of clothes shopping which is always a good time.  I got home on Wednesday and am leaving again tomorrow for another work trip - this time for St. Louis.  Today Evy and I had an outing at the mall where we bought sparkly shoes (for Evy, but sadly not for me), and some fun clothes for the two of us.  I don't shop for clothes very much so it's fun when I do.  My favorite store is J.Crew (very often I realize that literally everything I am wearing (save for underthings) is from J.Crew. - this includes my coat and scarf).  I do love that store.  Anyhoo, I recently received a wonderful, and completely indulgent cookbook as a belated birthday present from my friend Boni, and at about the same time I purchased another cookbook  - nearly as equally indulgent - just  because it looked so good - "Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey" and "Cupcakes!" respectively.  Both have great covers, pictures, and recipes. 

 

"Sticky, et al" is by Jill O'Connor, photographs by Keigh Beisch.  "Cupcakes!" is by Elinor Klivans, photographs by France Ruffenach.   I wouldn't normally add who did the photographs, but they both do such a fantastic job that I had to mention them.

This is a picture from "Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey" as is the below picture.

A bit blurred, but you get the idea.  Those colors, the arrangement of the food...it's all so great.

 

This delightful photograph is from "Cupcakes!"

I recently updated the display atop the little chest of drawers in our entry.  I love old baseballs and like how they look in a silver champagne bucket.  If my friend Susan reads this she may recognize it as a wedding gift from her in-laws, which has yet to be used for chilling any sort of beverage in the 10 years we've had it.  It's been used for practically everything else though.  Also pictured is the new (old) clarinet that I recently got from an antiques store called Hunt and Gather in Minneapolis.

I think it's the combination of a classy, respectable looking champagne chiller filled with very old, beat up baseballs that appeals to me.  I don't like things to be too much of anything - it's the mixing and matching of old and new, glitziness and restrained elegance that gets me excited. 

And since it's almost Valentine's Day I am including a picture of the little hand-stitched heart that I made last February.  It's hanging in the Living Room right now, but normally resides in Evy's room.  Some of you who have been reading for awhile may remember when I made this humble little heart last year. 

Thanks to everyone who drops by even when I'm not so quick to update my blog.  I really do appreciate your comments and emails.  Thank you for always being so supportive, kind, and funny.  Talk to you when I return from St. Louis.

 

a trip to portland for work...be back soon...

Hello friends, just wanted to let you know that I'm about to leave for a few days in Portland, OR for work.  I'll be back on Wednesday and will try to get you properly updated with pictures and a post at that time.  I'm fully stocked with new magazines for reading on the flight, as well as a mystery of course.  I always feel so much more relaxed knowing that I have good reading materials for a trip - I don't dread the flight at all if I have something fun to peruse.  My iPod has been updated with a couple of new CD's I recently got, and I'm set with snacks for the flight as well.  I haven't been to Portland for quite some time.  I wish I could do more sight seeing, but it's strictly business this go round.  I hope you are all doing well.  I'll talk to you soon!

the odds and ends of january....

I've had a number of pictures to post lately, none of which seem to relate much to one another.  I guess there doesn't need to be a theme exactly, it's just nice when there is one...says me.  Odds and ends, mixed with a bit of this and that are okay too.  When my mom was here she and I fixed up an old crib that had been used by my great grandma for her six baby girls.  It stayed in our family and was used by my mom for her dolls when she was growing up.  I painted it and my mom made a nice cushion for the bottom of it.  Evy's babies have a new place to take a nap now.

                                                                                                                                                                  

My mom sewed different colored buttons on the end of the cushion for the enclosure.   

                                                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                 

This is a slate that got on Saturday at Haupt Antiek in Rosemount, MN

                                                                                                                                                               

I got this little "mother" box at Hunt and Gather in Minneapolis, MN.  It's been featured in Country Living and is just 20 minutes from my home. I also got an old clarinet there as well and have it next to my old trumpet.

                                                                                                                                                          

And now for the important stuff.  I purchased several goodies from Rosemary who makes fantastic creations - the kind of wonderful goodies that just make you smile.  This is one of the cones that I got from her.  She sent me two because she wasn't sure which color I would like better.  I love them both!  This one hangs on the french doors between the living room and the family room.

                                                                                                                                                               

This is the second cone, which works perfectly in my bedroom.  It actually hangs from my nightstand, but the lighting wasn't as good there so I moved it to the door.  I also got the little "Dream" banner that is set in the top of the cone.

                                                                                                                                                               

For some reason my camera wouldn't quite focus in on the little box, but I'm sure you can still see how lovely it is.  It sits on my night stand atop "Jane Austen's Guide to Good Manners; Compliments, Charades & Horrible Blunders" 

                                                                                                                                                            

And this...this is the wonderful crown that Rosemary made.  I just love it!  I love it all and am so glad to have her beautiful creations in my home.  She is so detailed and uses such pretty materials.  Thank you Rosemary for allowing me to purchase these lovely  works of art!

                                                                                                                                                               

I've recently received a couple tags and an award.  I will write about those in my next post along with some photos from my mystery bookshelf which recently received some Nancy Drew additions thanks to my very sweet and thoughtful husband.  I hope you all are well my friends.

                                                                                  

book smart...and questions answered

I do love books.  I love displaying them, reading them, and staring at them stacked in a pile, waiting to BE read.  The books I have fall generally into two primary categories - mysteries and decorating.  I like cook books as well, but they fall a somewhat distant third in line.  I've either purchased or received several books lately and I wanted to share them with you.  I'm sure some of you may have a few of these, but hopefully I can pass along some information about a book you haven't seen before.  First off, the stack.

                                                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                                                                  

I just received "French Inspired Jewelry" by Kaari Meng, and "Crowns & Tiaras" by Kerri Judd & Danyel Montecinos.  Both are very fun and real candy for the eyes.  I don't know that I would ever be able to create the level of crowns or jewelry found in these books, but I can certainly enjoy looking at it and maybe even try.  They both give how-to information, although there are no pictures that walk you through the process, just the end-result picture.  The layout of both books is quite pleasing and they both use great colors and styling for the pictures.

                                                                                                                                                                        

                                                                                                                                                                  

I received "Merry & Bright" by Country Living for my birthday in December.  I really like the book very much and highly recommend it.  There are great pictures and ideas, which do come from a compilation of the Country Living magazines from over the years.  I also just picked up "The Art and Craft of Entertaining" by Kimberly Kennedy at a recent antiquing excursion.  It was just a few bucks and is only from 2006.  I very much like this book as well and think she has a lot of great ideas about style, decorating, and entertaining (from invitations to the actual event).  I don't really "entertain" that often, but it's still nice to get ideas for dinner parties, showers, luncheons, etc.

                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                

I received "Modern Country" by Nancy Ingram and M.J. Van Deventer from my step-son Alex for Christmas.  I had wanted it, but hadn't really looked through it before.  I am feeling so-so about the book because I definitely liked some of the pictures and styles, but was a bit ho-hum about other settings.  I have to say though that everytime I look through it I do find more that I like.  If anyone else has the book let me know what your impression is.  Maybe my deal is that I like more "stuff", not clutter, but "stuff" in my decorating.  Anyway, can't quite put my finger on it.

                                                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                                                             

My friend Christy picked out the Nancy Drew book for me - she knows me well!  It is a newer book and she knew I would enjoy it - I totally do Christy :o)  I have a somewhat large-ish collection of Nancy Drew-related items and am always happy to read about Nancy Drew and add to my collection.  The book is quite fun and even has a few recipes in it, including pot roast.  Speaking of which, not about pot roast, but Nancy Drew, for anyone waiting for the Nancy Drew movie to come out on DVD, it will be released on 3/11.  We have pre-ordered it and eagerly await its arrival.  In addition, Steve just got me the above book "Not a Girl Detective" by Susan Kandel.  It is about an auther who writes autobiographies about dead mystery writers.  "Not a Girl Detective" is about one such mystery where the character is researching "Carolyn Keene".  The character wears great vintage clothes, drives a baby blue vintage Cadillac, and gets involved with a murder having something to do with one of the original blue Nancy Drew books (the "Blue Nancys").  Not only does Christy know me well, but clearly my husband knows me well too.  I didn't know this series existed, but he found it and ordered two of them for me.  The next one is on its way and has to do with Perry Mason.  I haven't read this one yet, but plan to after I finish my current book.

                                                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                                                             

As you can see, I'll be quite busy reading, which is a great problem to have.  Looking at a stack of books just brings a smile to my face.

I wanted to answer a few questions that I received comments and emails about over the past few weeks.  I've been quite neglectful about getting back to people, but some questions were asked three and four times so I thought this might be the proper place to answer them.

1.) I received several questions about the colors on the wall in the kitchen, dining room, and living room.  I'm sad to say that I don't know what the names are.  They were custom blends.  The kitchen is a camel color, which is also on the bottom half of the family room (the upper half of the family room is a charcoal color - it's a nice contrast).  The living room and dining room are both a light grey and have cream-colored crown moulding. 

2.) Candles on the island in the last post - did I make them, and how to do it.  I did make them.  It's very easy.  All that is required are orange slices, pieces of an evergreen branch, cranberries, and floating candles.  Add them all into a glass container, fill with water, and add the floating candle on the top.

3.) 1803 Candles - Joyce was considering carrying these in her store.  She was glad for the recommendation.  I just wanted to add again that they are hands down the best candles I have ever used.  The best smelling, and burning.  They are soy, made in the U.S., and are created by a woman who runs her business independantly.  If you enjoy good smelling candles please try these.  And no, I'm not the person creating them, which I must sound like with this strong endorsement :o)

4.) Black cabinet in the below post.  I was asked if it is a pantry.  It is at least 100 years old and was on my grandparent's farm.  It holds baskets with aprons and cloth napkins, and is also where we store large serving bowls and our bills. Here is an additional picture.

5.) The kitchen island in my below post was also the source of several questions.  We got it several years ago from Williams-Sonoma.  They don't seem to carry it any longer though.  It has three drawers on one side, a marble top, and a shelf on the bottom for holding our pots.  Here are some additional pictures.

6.) Cynthia had mentioned Nell Hill in a comment she left for me.  I'm sorry, but I don't know if Cynthia has a blog or not, otherwise I would add a link to it.  It's funny that she said I have a similar style to Nell Hill because I very much wanted her Christmas book for my birthday, but it was nearly impossible to get.  Both Steve and Alex searched around for it, but they were quite expensive.  I see now that it is going for about $60.  So, maybe later I will be able to get the book, but I did very much enjoy the comment from Cynthia who actually gets to work in the Nell Hill store in Kansas City.  How fun would that be !

7.) I was asked about our kitchen table and chairs.  They are from Pottery Barn, and are a distressed black color.  My sister-in-law didn't realize we had purchased it distressed.  When she first saw it she thought the paint had already started coming off.  I'm sure it was very hard to understand why we would actually pay to have our table look like it had been roughed up.  I heard from a few people who were commenting about painting their kitchen tables, which I'm sure would look great.  We really do love ours. 

8.) Lisa left me a comment several posts ago asking about our entry wall that goes up the stairs.  She asked if it was wallpaper.  It is actually paint.  I've included a link to a past post that shows a close-up of it.  Again, I didn't have a link to a blog for Lisa so I apologize for not being able to include a link to her.

Well, I think that's it for now, a rather long post, but I wanted to get caught up on the questions I had received.  Thank you for the questions and for all of the lovely, thoughtful comments.  I've been blogging for almost a year now and I am so grateful for all of you in my life.  Such a happy girl I am :o)

pictures, pictures, pictures...

The visit with my mom and grandpa was perfect.  I love vacations like that - almost always involving antiquing, watching old mystery movies, relaxing, eating, almost no actual responsibility.  To me, that's vacation perfection.  We had our Christmas with my family on New Year's Eve.  We ate pizza, watched "Candleshoe" with a young Jody Foster from 1977, opened presents, and rang in the New Year.  Even my 93 year-old grandpa stayed awake right till the end.  Here is my Grandpa, Evy, and my mom before my grandpa left to go back to North Dakota.

I think it's picture overload for this post.  Since I haven't posted in a while I've accumulated some settings and a project that I want to share with you.  In my next post I'll show you the project that my mom and I worked together - a very, very old, small crib that's been in our family for a long time.  We painted it and made a cute cushion for it - pictures to follow in the next post.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

This is the journal and bookmark I made for my mom while she was here.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

This is a side view with the tabs and pockets that my mom added to it.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

A view of the kitchen.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

This is an old basket that I picked up while antiquing with my mom.  I also got a couple more 1803 candles which are absolutely the best candles I've ever used.  Some how those little cups ended up in a picture again.  I think they've been in my last three posts.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

My mom gave me that little tray for Christmas.  It has chalk board paint on it.  Such a cute idea.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Cranberries, orange slices, evergreens, and floating candles.  They smell so nice.

My riding hat collection is growing.  I just can't seem to refuse a riding hat when I see one.  I think they're so fun!

                                                                                                                                                                   

A couple of old horns that I picked up recently while antiquing.  Steve was bummed that he couldn't honk the horn sitting above the trumpet.  He couldn't quite understand why I would get a horn with a falling-apart honker.  I looked at him in disbelief and said, "why wouldn't I get it?  It looks like the perfect horn to me".  ;o)

Hope you all are well my friends.  I'll be back soon - I promise!

goodies from abroad...

My friend Sophie sent me a wonderful goodie package from England.  It was a birthday/Christmas present and I just love what she sent.  I showed the "NOEL" gilded letters in my last post, but she also sent this wonderful pillow and cute hand towels from Laura Ashley.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  The little candle lights are from my mom.  When they are turned on they flicker like candles.  I really like the little polka dot towel from Sophie.

                                                                                                                                                            Another Laura Ashley hand towel above.

See the little paper crown on the cloche?  Below is a picture of Evy on Christmas day wearing a paper hat from her English Cracker.  We all were wearing them while eating our Christmas waffles.  Good times.

                                                                                                                                                      

                                                                                                                                                             Sorry for the big gap between posts.  I've been working, trying to spend time with family - you know,