The Spanish Dahlia

My Sweet And Lovely Daughter

 

My lovely daughter had to return to college in Manhattan, and her momma is very sad...

Love you so much Tasha

 

Babysbreath Are The Unsung Hero

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Babysbreath is so beautiful isn't it?  I just love the way they seem to " dance " around and illuminate everything around it !  This lovely little dickens of a flower has inspired me to create a dried floral arrangement or wreath in homage to spring.

Have a lovely weekend,

Steph

Yummy Strawberry Birthday Cake For My Man

I made this birthday cake for my husband on his birthday last Sunday.  Seemed to go over pretty well with everyone.  I made up this recipe and will have to write the ingredients on paper and my computer. Anyway, hope you all are having a great week so far and that your hearts are at peace.

~ Steph 

Angels In The Snow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yesterday was my husband's 49th birthday.  All he wanted for his birthday   was to have all of us spend the day together and  go on a nice hike up to John Boyd State Thatcher Park.  You see, Thatcher Park was the "home away from home" for Tino and Jim for many years.  So coming here was bittersweet and emotional for us.  We had a wonderful time and truly felt Tino's spirit on a very special day.  As we were leaving Thatcher, I asked the girl's to  apease me and relive their young childhood by making angels in the snow.  As you can see, that was an  easy thing  to do for their momma.  What a beautiful day it was. Perfect and precious in every way...

~ Steph

 

Primrose Pretty !

Found these primroses at my local market to brighten these sleepy winter months.

 

My mini dried spray roses also had to have a pic of too

 

I always try to keep my roses as long as I possibly can.  Even when they get to the wilting stage !

 

 Tissue paper roses I made a few years ago with vintage lace & fabric

 

 

I did some major painting in my kitchen last weekend and hung up this pretty picture!

 

Have a nice Friday,

Steph

Rearranging And Optimistic About 2012

Hi there and Happy New Year to everyone!  Hope you all had a peaceful and joyous holiday season.  We had a wonderful Christmas, despite not having our beloved pets, Tino and Buster this year.  It took a long time to heal from their huge loss, but we healed together as a family because of our love for eachother.  Anywway, thank God we still have our other beloved, Jade.  I don't know what we'd do without having her to curl up with to snuggle and spoil.

So on with the new year and all things that she has to bring.  I need to be optimistic because last year was not good for us in some ways.  Good news is I'm trying to keep an open mind and heart and continue to learn more about myself and others.

I'll leave you with some pics of the new arrangement in the livingroom and kitchen. 

Found the  french settee at a Flea Market in Ravena, New York over the holidays.

Have a lovely week,

~ Stephanie

 

 

 

 

 

One Of The Best Days Of My Life

Hi everyone, hope your holiday season is going along nicely.  Mine is going fantastic, and it's even more fantastic because I was lucky enough to be featured on Amy Neunsinger's blog http://cocodot.com/blog/ on Tuesday, December 13th, 2011.  The pictures you'll see below are currently on the cocodot.com website, and the link listed will send you to where I am featured.  This was a complete honor and I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to come my way!   Also, if you are a fan of Rachel Ashwell's, then you are familiar with Amy's amazing photography over the years and the fact that Rachel asked Amy to be her photographer for many of her books.  Enjoy the pictures and the rest of your week.  I'm still on cloud nine !

Laurie and Amy, thanks again for my feature on the blog and know that you made my season alot brighter!

Gratefully... Stephanie

 

 

Oh ~ How I Love This Christmasy Time Of Year...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can you believe I misplaced Rachel's " The Gift Of Giving " ?  Fortunately I found it while looking for Christmas treasures as well as trying to find more vintage fabric to overdye.

 

Gave this antique a little polish job, and boy does she clean up well or what!

 

 

 

 

 

Jim and I were busy little elves last weekend decking the halls inside and out, so much work but oh so much fun!  I'm so glad I'll always see Christmas wonderment, just like a child.  In that respect, I'll never grow up.  Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and may our savior bless you.

~ Steph

A Little Sneak Peek Of What's To Come...

Hi everyone, hope you've been good this year, God know's I've tried to be good!  Anyway, I'm giving you a little snippet of my Christmas decorations on my white tree.  This adorable angel I found at a Church sale several years ago, and she just happens to be my  favorite!  I'll never part with her, nope... 

Hope your having a great week and getting some shopping done.

~ Merry  Christmas

Oh How I"ve Missed One Of My Favorite Sweet Breads...

 

 

Ok so, one of my favorite places I looked forward to frequenting when I was little was a Panaderia called the Pink Elephant where I grew up in California.  I looked forward to going there because this was a mexican bakery where they made thee most delicious sweet breads you can ever imagine tasting!  Well, since we live in an area where there are no Panaderias, I decided to make a go of it and make mine from scratch.  Last Christmas I tried three times to make them and everything came out perfect except for the dough not rising.  Well, I was determined to make them again, and after getting some suggestions from my sister in law, needless to say, the pandulce came out to die for!  I think I would make my mother proud! Yay, I am tickled pink over my success! Now to taking pics of all my Christmas decorations...