Pillow Talk

Have you noticed how the majority of men dislike pillows and cushions? They never know where to put them. Whereas, women adore them...................placing them, piling and stacking them, throwing 'throw pillows' hither and thither, lounging back on them................feeling elegant, comfy, even romantic.

Women like fringes, ruffles, quilting, buttons, tassels, I even like writing...................embellishments adding luxury, elegance, even a quirky look.

Luckily my dh has a place to pile them at bedtime - he dislikes them but he knows I love them and that they're here to stay! My current pillows from the bed piled on the loveseat for the night.

Why the discussion about pillows? A friend told me that pillows are also the easiest way to decorate for Christmas. She collects beautiful Christmas inspired pillows and tosses them on sofas, chairs, beds, all around the house - instant comfy Christmas. I must discuss this idea with dh - but of course I already know what he's going to say!

Perhaps this Irish Father Christmas pillow might change his mind - after all it would remind him of his heritage.......................

Then perhaps I could add this one which immediately caught my eye - I love anything with pears and there's writing too. Goodness me, I think I see a possible collection for next Christmas!

Two Gifts

We received an early Christmas present. Open immediately ~ use now. The box was flat but huge. On removing the wrapping paper the words Pottery Barn appeared - ooh! this is going to be something really nice. Sliding out the cardboard took four hands ~ and there it was, a pretty metal tree card holder which fits perfectly on this wall.

Our treasured friends are more than generous with their gifts. Their enclosed Christmas card is the most beautiful Madonna and Child I've seen. Later I'll add more cards but for now I love to look at just these two gifts........................ simple, pure, and very beautiful.

'The Sleep Of The Child Jesus'
Bernardo Luini

Blue Box Baking

Have you seen this blue box?

I rarely bake anything from a mix ~ exception being brownies. These I sometimes gussy up with a layer of Grand Marnier flavored orange butter cream topped with melted chocolate ~ a great party take along, everyone loves them!

I love Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten) cookbooks and when I saw these coconut cupcakes with her name, and as they were on special, I decided what the heck, give 'em a try. I haven't made cupcakes in years and they do seem to be in vogue right now. I especially liked how she included a little note on the box telling you what NOT to leave the shop without in order to be ready to bake when the call came.

Quite easy to pull together - supposed to make ten, I got eleven good size cakes, and the amount of cream cheese frosting and coconut was very generous. They baked up a pretty pale gold and flat on top so easy to frost when cool.

Bottom line - the first day when just baked, OK but not fantastic, still crispy around the edges, somewhat crumbly - dh wasn't too keen. Second day, much better, cake more moist and coconut flavor more developed.....................and today, third day, really great - richer tasting and we split one for dessert because all this taste testing was putting me on a guilt trip! I've put a few in the freezer so see how they fare. I would recommend keeping this blue box on the shelf for a quick sweet treat ~ but try to bake a least a day before you plan to eat for the most enjoyment.

Christmas baking coming up soon. Being English, I have to bake traditional mince pies with a glob of rich rum butter plonked on top while still warm, yummy! My cookies are always ginger krinkles and almond slices.

If you bake, what glorious concoctions come from your kitchen?

Pretty Little Treasures

I have to share these lovely items made by Kelly at Dove Grey Art Studio in Canada. They arrived a couple of days ago - don't you just love opening the mailbox and finding a package waiting?

Before heading to the garden with dh to rake ten tons of leaves today ~ and in 73 degrees ~ I hung the pretty charm on my rosemary topiary. One side is a vintage picture of a little girl and her puppy standing by a Christmas tree, the reverse is sheet music with the words 'Sweet Child'. There's a tiny heart hanging at the base. All these pics should enlarge for you.

The NOEL banner is made from vintage sheet music - I like how Kelly used pinking shears when cutting them out. Since taking this pic I've added some tiny clear lights behind the angels - looks very pretty at night.

This is a little garland of sweet vintage music swallows. Holding silky white ribbon they are perfect flying across the top of my Welsh dresser in the dining room. As you can see I have a Nature theme going on there with the English Country Diary china, birdhouses, and my decoupaged pots.

Go visit Kelly's blog ~ she has lovely things for sale. Thanks again Kelly ~ hope you enjoy seeing your pretty treasures hanging in my home.

Time to care

If you've visited Deborah at Pictures, Pots & Pens you will remember that we discovered each other via our blogs a couple of months ago. We live in the same city so have managed to go thrifting and have lunch together.

Deborah's post on Thursday was very sad as it announced the passing of her sweet Mother.

This afternoon my husband and I attended the memorial service for this lady whom we unfortunately had never met. She was apparently a pillar of strength in her congregation....................the words said were generous and kind, comments from people we conversed with enlightened us. This was one sweet and feisty lady who will be long remembered.

I understand how Deborah is feeling having lost my own dear Mother a few years ago. I traveled 'across the pond' and reached her side just hours before she passed away.

You may wish to leave a few words of condolence on Deborah's blog. I know she will appreciate you thinking of her at this difficult time ~ she is a very sweet person.

"O, Christmas Tree - where are you?"

We've been waiting for a while now - a bunch of angels and cherubs expecting to see a Christmas tree appear.

We're getting a little bored passing the time reading your decorating books.......................

.......................hanging about up here in the heavens playing music on ancient instruments

......................playing guardian angel over the potpourri

..........................keeping the peace with the doves


.............................and taking long naps on the hard dining room table.

Oh, we see it now. Our Christmas tree is in the gazebo!

The perfect solution to that question we all have when our nest is a small cottage - where on earth to put the tree? Many years we squeezed a narrow fresh Fraser Fir into the corner of the dining room but, since the gazebo graced our back deck, we've put a tree out there. We enjoy seeing it from the windows of several rooms........and sharing it with our neighbors.

With the door closed, and as it's screened, the birds, squirrels, raccoons, possums, foxes, cats and whatever else comes through the night garden, cannot bother the tree. I only use my natural looking ornaments out here to blend with the garden - the more precious glass and delicate things which might be damaged by damp are saved for indoors.
We'll enjoy it this year - perhaps next we'll decide to bring a tree inside again - have a lot more beautiful ornaments just longing to come out of storage!

A Rose is a Rose

Another find from my Replacements Ltd. visit. Could you resist these? Napkin (serviette to the Brits) rings just being unpacked as we stepped inside the front door of the showroom. Made of fabric and quite beautiful at just $2.99 each!

Of course I couldn't resist, neither could my friend. We both brought half a dozen to our respective homes, saying we would share if each of us does a dinner party for 12 some day! Meanwhile mine will sit in a bowl - just cannot bring myself to hide them away. In fact I'm thinking of many ways to use them other than napkin rings.

And among the many amazing porcelain art figurines costing thousands of dollars, this one was stunning. Bet these muses never saw a kitchen stove or donned an apron, and can you imagine baking in those dresses......................let alone cook a dinner for twelve! The picture I'm conjuring in my mind is reclining on low sofas being hand fed grapes, and sipping wine from silver goblets.