Red Wine Poached Pear

 I have always wanted to make this recipe.  So, I gave it a try.  The hardest part was taking the picture.  My leaning pear keep falling over, I would sit it up, lick my fingers, get my camera, it would fall over, and I would do it all over again.  I probably did this five times and finally, I was quick enough with my camera.   This was really a very easy recipe and it is a great tasting recipe with all of the flavors of vanilla, cinnamon, and the pear in the wine sauce.

Ingredients:

4-6 peeled pears, can also core and slice (recommend Bosc or Anjou)

1 1/2 cups of red wine (recommend Zinfandel, Shiraz, or Merlot)

3/4 cups of granulated sugar

2 tbsp. of lemon juice

2 tsps of vanilla

2 tsps of cinnamon

Combine all ingredients, except pears, and bring to a boil.  Once the wine mixture is boiling, turn heat down to a simmer and add the pears.  Simmer pears for 10-12 minutes and then turn pears and simmer for an additional 8-10 minutes, until they are tender and easily poked through with a fork.  Remove pears and let them cool.  Boil the wine sauce until the liquid has been reduced by half.  Pour sauce over pears and serve with either marscapone, creme fraiche or Devonshire cream.  *Note: my leaf garnish is a bay leaf.

Source: wine.about.com

Enjoy!

Sherry

I will link to:
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Foodie Friday  at Designs by Gollum

This Chick Cooked at This Chick Cooks
Friday Food at Mom Trends

Thanks for the Hug

I laughed out loud when I read my friend Linda's (at Lime in the Coconut) comment about the "group hug" I'd received though the comments to yesterday's post.  She's so right.  Thank you all so much for the kindness.  When I wrote the post yesterday, I was feeling as close to tears as I've felt in a really long time (I joked with my assistant Meghan that I was going to jump in her lap for a good cry.)  I honestly didn't write it looking for anything... In a way I use this blog as a journal, usually keeping off the drama/ boring / too personal stuff, but there are times when it comes out anyway.  (After I hit "publish" I thought I sounded like a whiny complainer.)  But I did end up getting something.  So many of you are in the same boat and somehow knowing that we're not alone-  faaaaar from it it- makes me feel better. 

Thanks for the hug.

{pic via pinterest via piccsy}

And there are so many different sides to it.  Many commenters are in completely different careers and it seems they still struggle with the same issues.  There are those moms who do decide to stay home and love it although can't help wondering "what if" just the way moms who go to work wonder "what if?  There are stay-at-home moms who feel like people think they are on easy street.  (Can I just say I can' disagree with this more??  Staying at home with children to me is the toughest job.  (I'm sure it's very rewarding but it is exhausting and those parents deserve a LOT of credit.)  Then there's the guilt that seems to be associated with all sides of motherhood.  One commenter raised a really interesting issue that in her workplace history, there has always been a "mommy" who she felt used her children as an excuse to get out of things and put more work on others.  Another mother commenting mentioned that she realized she had judged those decorators without children. thinking about what would happen to their careers once they did have kids.  I also realized I was judging the people who judged the "mommy" decorators.  (And just to clarify for any of those who asked, this isn't something imagined, I've actually heard of specific decorators using these terms in reference to others in a very negative way.)  My mom (who was a single parent for most of my childhood) said that childcare was always one of the toughest part about raising kids. 

{pic via pinterest via http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com%7d/

When it comes down to it, I think we all have insecurities and questions ourselves sometimes.  I find that when I get really frazzled/ upset about something with my kids (such as the daycare situation yesterday morning) I start to question myself.  On normal days, things roll off my back & I'm even able to laugh or roll my eyes when I hear about haters, but when I'm emotionally charged like that, it all seems like it's tumbling down.

With Justin's case yesterday, I took him back to his existing daycare, which had turned over most of its teachers & its director over the summer.  We were less than thrilled to be taking him back to the center as we didn't love it last year & were planning on using it temporarily until we could find Mary Poppins, but when I got back to the daycare yesterday, it was worse than it had been the previous year.  The two ladies we looved -who had taken such good care of Justin- happened to be coming in later that day and those that were left seemed unconcerned that Justin was crying for so long.  I'd fully expected him to cry, I just expected he'd be picked up and comforted. 

Anyway, I have two kidinkies up right now so we're off for breakfast, but thanks for the shoulders yesterday.  I promise I'll get back to good stuff later this week.

{NOT a picture of our breakfast - i wish!!- image from the Awkward Bird}

On another note, we are installing a new project tomorrow.  (Thank goodness for my mom babysitting!!) My clients' house underwent a major renovation and all of the pretties are going in tomorrow!!




If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact us about our design services.

Fall's Color

Fall's color is bright.  The oranges, golds, and reds pop and beg us to come outside before we are trapped by the gray cold November skies.

Orange stands out as the color of Fall.  Warmth and fire is what it reminds me of.

Have a mug of coffee and think about fall's colors.  Which are your favorite?

Photograph by: Sarah Swihart

Loved this table in my recent issue (Sept/Oct 2011) of Victoria.  It gave me the idea to put together the above.

Textures:

First picture: altered with parvous at 60% and stained linen at 49%.  I forgot which process.

2nd picture: serendipity with soft light 100%

3rd picture: serendipity with overlay 85%

Textures by Kim Klassen. 

Sherry

I will link to these lovely blogs, go and visit:

Table Top Tuesday  at A Stroll Thru Life

Tea Time Tuesday at Lady Katherine Tea Parlor

Tea Time Tuesday at Rose Chintz Cottage

Tea Cup Tuesday at Martha's Favorites

Tuesday Tea for Two at The Plumed Pen

Tea Pot and Tea Things Tuesday  at The Silken Purse

Tea Pot and Tea Things Tuesday at Breath of Fresh Air

Tea Cup Tuesday at Artful Affirmations

Tea Party Tuesday  at Sweetology

Texture Tuesday  at Kim Klassen Cafe

A Return to Loveliness  at A Delightsome Life

"Mommy" Decorators

This morning we planned to have our kids start back up at daycare & a new school.  As you might remember from last year, it's kind of a tough time.  Our boys are 4 years old and 20 months old and finding the right kind of care that's best for us all has been tough, both emotionally and on the wallet.  This morning I went to drop Justin off (our 20 month old) at his old daycare and after I left the room I watched as he stood there and wailed for 5-10 minutes.  The caregiver had set him down the second I left the room and as I waited to fill out forms in the main office I could hear my baby crying his lungs out.  I peeked in and still no one was holding him...  I watched as a woman picked him up for a minute or so and then I came back again and he was standing there, balling alone.  They were crazy busy and I could see that there was so much going on, but still, it just felt wrong in my gut.  I told the director as much and left.  They tried to be nice but it just didn't feel right. 

...SO now I'm at home with Justin and no childcare, the day off, and a search for Mary Poppins. 

{Oh Mary...  we need you!!}

Being a working parent & having your own business has its own set of challenges.  I've actually heard people (without kids) talk down about working-designing-moms as if their businesses are somewhat of a joke.  I'm sure you're familiar with the terms "mommy decorators" or "mommy bloggers."  Does being a parent truly take away some sort of credibility in the design world?  Or does also being a blogger in addition to being a decorator mean that you don't deserve to be where you are?  (Clearly I don't think so, but sadly I've heard about people making this implication in general...  )

It's at times like this though- when I'm dealing with childcare issues and sit typing with a toddler on my lap- that I honestly start to wonder if these people are right???  I feel lucky to have gotten a shower in & to be dressed in normal clothes.  It's sometimes hard not to lose all confidence and wonder what in the world I'm doing or trying to do.  Am I just a "mommy" decorator faking it in the real world of suited interior designers? 

I'm clearly in a low spot right now to be even going on this rant, but I wish anyone thinking this way knew & understood all of the effort it takes to be where they are at 9 AM.  They might show up fresh & ready to rock, whereas the parent has been up for hours, having fed, bathed & dressed her kids for school and dropped them off and that's if everything went smoothly.  What exactly am I asking for? No it's not sympathy, but maybe a little understanding.  Because anyone who has to have someone else look after his or her children so he or she can go to work, is very serious about his or her career.  I think it's easy to quick-judge people and put them in a box.    (it's CLEAR that  I am ranting.. running from one working parent issue to the next.  please forgive me...  But I have to say, it is making me feel better ;)

Anyway, I'm off to go pick up Christian from his new school.  Fingers crossed all went well.   Sorry about the sort of down & out post. 
I'd love to hear your thoughts though as bloggers & readers on the "mommy blogger" / "mommy decorator issue."  Has anyone experienced what I'm talking about?



If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

Vintage Millinery Flowers

I scored at the Salvation Army the other day.  Four bags of vintage millinery flowers for 25 cents a piece!  I had been looking for white flowers for a project and these have that perfect antique white hue to them due to their age.  They were in their original package unopened.

I had in my mind this hat, that I wanted to take the red flowers off of.  I wanted to use lace and I was waiting for the right thing to come along to use for it's makeover.

I like the rose on this lace scarf.  The scarf is a little too long but, it does look romantic;

.....or, maybe a vintage cameo.  I like them both, very romantic.  It reminds me a lot of  'A Room with a View.'   Does anyone remember that movie? 

image from: www.altfg.com

Sherry

I will link it to:
Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage
Amaze Me Monday  at Dittle Dattle
Metamorphosis Monday  at Between Naps on the Porch

All Free Holiday Crafts eBook

 Needing some ideas for your fall craft file?  All Free Holiday Crafts has some ideas.  Out this week is their new 11 Easy Halloween Craft Ideas eBook .   In this eBook you will find craft ideas for everyone.  Featured are party decorations, table decorations, scary decorations, and kid-friendly decorations.  Click the link above to the eBook and take a look.  It's all free!  Featured in this eBook is the Spiderweb Silhouette Lantern I made last year on my blog.  Go and check it out.  Halloween is just around the corner.

 

 

 Happy crafting!

 Sherry

My Dad's Dining Room: Finally {Almost} Finished!

You might remember this project from way-back-when but my dad's dining room at the lake cottage started out looking like this:

The room was actually taken down to its studs prior to this picture being taken but I don't have any shots of that. 

Over the years, we added the table & light fixure & built-in cabinetry.  It's finally almost totally finished (with the exception of maybe a rug for the cooler months and shades on the windows) so I wanted to share a few pics I took:

{The boys use the table more than anyone for coloring & projects and of course eating (ie making a HUGE mess with food for Justin.)

I wanted the kitchen & dining room to feel simple & practical and carry a bit of nostalgia for my Grandma (who died 20 years ago but is still somehow a driving force in my family) with it.  It cleans up so easily & there's no stress with messes.   (Crayons came right off of the chairs- don't worry Dad!) 

I used my Live Paisley linen in dusty blue on the curtains because of the colors of my Grandma's china (now displayed in the built-in cabinetry)

Here's a very crooked picture of the cabinetry:

{I forgot to get a straight photo of this spot with the new hardware on- oops!- atleast you get the idea}

This cottage has been in our family since 1958, with the dining room & open kitchen at its heart.  So many meals have taken place here and for my family, eating is a BIG deal.  In reality, any room is just the backdrop for the life that's going on there, but it makes me so happy that the backdrop here finally feels right.  My Grandma & Nanoo loved this house and truly made it into a home.  My Grandma had a very disctinct style:  She loved flowery details and was pretty frilly, but also a very simple woman.  Function & practicality were always first.  I like to think of the house as an updated, tiny-bit-more-masculine version of my Grandma and I think she'd love it if she could see it now.  

{Queen Anne's lace on the table thrills me to no end...  seriously.}

One of my favorite things about visiting the old house is picking flowers from our field and bringing them inside.  My grandma always used to ask me to pick flowers & bring them in when I was a little girl.  It's such a simple thing, but when we go out & pick flowers, I'm in Heaven. 

Also, I've received a lot of questions about my textile line & how to order, so I just wanted to clarify a little bit. In September, I will be selling the fabrics online (in my new online store - Pure Style Home) for those who don't live in Virginia or those who don't have access to the Design Center of Northern Virginia.  It's an online store where you will be able to view all of the fabrics & colorways, and purchase sample memos & yardage right there at the site if you need to.  (I'm waiting until September to debut the line because the fabrics have not yet been photographed so without, pictures, there's no way for me to really sell them online.  My good friend & photographer Helen Norman and my family & I are doing a photoshoot at Helen's farm for the fabrics in a couple of weeks and I can't wait to share them with you!!  Not only will we be photographing the fabrics themselves but we're putting them in lifestyle settings that embody the feeling I hope that the fabrics convey: classic fresh, simple & carefree, and in some cases a little vintage or bohemian.)

If you are in the DC metro area, you can view my fabric line at the Design Center of Northern Virginia.

Thanks for the support & have a great weekend!!  (Can you believe summer's almost over?? wa wa wa)

If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

Home Sweet Home #29

Welcome to Home Sweet Home!  I have my table ready for dessert and coffee with a little coastal style.

The original inspiration for this table was a table I saw in Waterside Cottages a book by Barbara Jacksier.  I live a mile or less from  a large lake.  I am glad I'm not waterside though, I grew up with areas of water nearby and there were too many snakes!  
My vintage item is the pewter, all of it by Wilton Armetale.

Thanks for joining me at Home Sweet Home!

Sherry

Now, I would like to feature some wonderful post from last week's Home Sweet Home.

First, Debbie from Debbiedoo's Blogging and Blabbing shared her tips on staining outdoor furniture vs. painting and showed off this beautiful outdoor space.  Click the link to view.

Next, Honey over at 2805 showed off this vintage scale.  Click the link to view.

Confessions of a Plate Addict created a cheesescape and explained how the French are experts on cheese.  Click the link to view.

Kristy, at Starfish Cottage created this beautiful tablescape.  Click the link to view.

And last, Cass at This Old House tells the story of remodeling her kitchen.  Click the link to view.

Thank you to all who join me at Home Sweet Home!

I will join these ladies today:

 Inspiration Friday At The Picket Fence

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Fridays Unfolded  at Stuff and Nonsense

Farmhouse Friday  at LaurieAnna's Vintage Home

Guidelines for Home Sweet Home Party:

Attention: To link up with inlinkz you must have a permalink back to this party in your post or they will not allow you to link. 

My button is on my sidebar for the party, if you want to use it.   If you are new here I hope you will become a follower.  No Etsy link ups or direct advertising, please.  Please visit some of the other blogs and get some great inspiration.  Thanks.:)

Now let's see your beautiful homes!

Spaghetti with Tomato and Fresh Basil Sauce

I have been trying to get some healthier versions of meals on the menu at home.  An all time favorite of ours is spaghetti and I have a new version that is healthier and almost as quick as opening a can of sauce.

I first inspected the pasta aisle at the grocery and my favorite go to pasta when I want to eat better is Barilla.  This spaghetti was 51% whole wheat and that makes it a lot better tasting than 100% whole wheat.

This is how it looks cooked up.  It is just as quick as the other spaghetti.

The sauce is really good and the kids gave it a thumbs up. 

Ingredients:

1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup of chopped onions
1 1/2 tsps. chopped garlic
3 1/2 cups of crushed tomatoes
1/2 tsp. dry oregano
1/4 tsp. crushed red-pepper flakes (I omitted)
1 tsp. salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 cup chopped fresh basil
12 ounces dry, whole-wheat spaghetti
4 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese

  

1. Lightly coat a large skillet with the oil over medium heat.  Add the onions and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add the garlic, tomatoes, oregano, red-pepper flakes, salt, and a few grindings of black pepper and simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Reduce the heat to low and stir the basil into the sauce.


2. Cook the spaghetti as directed on the package.  Reserve 1/4 cup cooking water and drain.


3. Add the spaghetti to the Tomato and Fresh Basil Sauce.  Stir to combine and let it sit 1 minute.  If the sauce looks dry, stir in the reserved cooking water.


4. Divide the spaghetti among 4 dinner plates and sprinkle with Parmesan.

Yield: 4 servings of 1 1/2 cups each
This recipe produces 3 1/2 cups of sauce, which can be used in any recipe calling for tomato sauce.  It freezes well.  
Recipe source- The Volumetrics Eating Plan
This is a great cookbook filled with a lot of new versions of favorite recipes that give you a lot fresher food with more veggies and fiber.

Sherry

I will link to:
Foodie Friday  at Designs by Gollum
This Chick Cooked at This Chick Cooks
Friday Food at Mom Trends