Ma Maison

Pea Soup

2010-04-21T19:23:00.002-04:00

For this week’s Tablescape Thursday I did a trayscape for two. Since it involves food, I’m linking to Foodie Friday, also.

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I’ve gotten so much use out of this blue wicker tray that I found last year at Big Lots. It’s just perfect for doing small ‘scapes.

These cute covered soup bowls are from Horchow.

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SPLIT PEA SOUP

Saute diced onions, carrots and celery in olive oil. Then add water, a bag of split peas, salt and pepper. Cook for 30-45 minutes until soup starts to thicken up. I usually then add some diced potatoes and then cook until the potatoes are done. This is even better cooked with ham and/or a ham bone.

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Be sure to visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch to see lots of pretty table settings around blogland.

For Foodie Friday visit Michael at Designs By Gollum. There are always so many yummy recipes to choose from.

Tablescape Thursday: Bzzzz

2010-04-07T17:45:00.002-04:00

I’m back from my blog break, and couldn’t wait to jump back into Tablescape Thursday.

There have been some busy little bees around my house…

These gold mosaic votive holders by Colonial Candle remind me of a honeycomb…

The covered beehive soup bowls by American Atelier have morning glories on them…

…and bees…

If you look closely, you can see the bees on these cute beehive mini taper holders from Williams Sonoma…

I found these adorable bee napkin rings at Aprilcornell.com.

The votive I used is Basil Garden by Colonial Candle. So yummy and springlike!

Visit our Tablescape Thursday hostess, Susan at Between Naps on the Porch, for lots more pretty tablescapes.

I’m joining Lady Katherine’s Tea Time Tuesday a bit late. Be sure to stop by her blog to see all the Tea Time Tuesday participants.

Turkey Noodle Soup and Gollum's Corn Muffins

2010-03-11T20:18:00.008-05:00

Part of my post this week is a recipe from our favorite foodie herself, Michael at Designs by Gollum. Be sure to visit her blog to see what's cooking on the farm this week, and to see the list of other participants.

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Even though the weather is turning warmer, we still love soup at our house. Hubby has been making deep-fried turkeys for us a lot and I've been using the leftovers for turkey noodle soup...yum! A good soup is perfect with Gollum's Bacon and Chive Corn Muffins. You can find the recipe HERE.

Lately I've been serving soup in covered sugar bowls that resemble miniature tureens. This one is Johnson Brothers Old Britain Castles.

St. Patrick’s Tablescape

2010-03-10T15:04:00.003-05:00

Some leprechauns happened by and spotted my pot ‘o gold…

Ah, ‘tis not gold, but candy…almost as good!

I think this tealight holder from the Dollar Tree sort of looks like clover…

Plaid napkins seemed fitting…

…as did cabbage leaf placemats…

Mr. Bunny got St. Patrick-ified.

Please visit our Tablescape Thursday hostess, the very talented Susan at Between Naps on the Porch, to see what creativity she has worked this week, and to visit the other participants.

May the luck ‘o the Irish be with you!

Cabbage leaf placemats: Grandin Road

Crackle votive holders: Colonial Candle

Bee canister: Horchow

Polka dot salad plates: Spode Baking Days

White plates and bowls: Gibson (aka Gollum dishes) from Big Lots

Strawberry Limoncello Martini

2010-02-24T18:46:00.009-05:00

Our Tablescape Thursday hostess, Susan, has posted a few tablescapes created by the very talented Bonnie. In a couple of those, she used a pretty dove bowl as a centerpiece. I immediately fell in love with the bowl, and after much searching, I found one very similar.

*****

Mr. Maison and I enjoyed the candlelight while drinking Strawberry Limoncello Martinis...yum!

Strawberry Limoncello Martinis

1 1/2 oz Smirnoff Citrus Vodka

1 oz Limoncello

1 oz Sour Mix

1 1/2 oz Strawberry Daiquiri Mix

Shake and strain into sugar-rimmed martini glasses

*****

If anyone is interested in purchasing one of the dove bowls, it's Item # 719403 by Abigails.net. They are a wholesaler, but you can call Bill at Le Marche at 757-625-1211 to order one.

*****

Visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday, and Michael at Designs By Gollum for Foodie Friday.

Violins and Elephants

2010-02-24T14:03:00.004-05:00

So what do violins and elephants have in common? Absolutely nothing! We had our daughter's orchestra concert at the high school last night, so I wanted to post a picture of her playing.

And here's where the elephant comes in...look at this cute little lady, Emily, from Colonial Candle. I already had a couple of their sock monkeys, and recently discovered they've added other animals as well, so Emily came to live us.

These sock animals remind of a sock doll my grandmother made me when I was little. We called him 'Tater...don't know why, but we did.

Creamy Chicken, Mushroom & Wild Rice Soup

2010-02-18T15:28:00.008-05:00

We love soup around here...as a matter of fact, we've had it three times this week!

I found a recipe on Allrecipes.com for a Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup, and adapted my recipe from that. We loved it and Mr. Maison said, "It's a keeper!"

Creamy Chicken, Mushroom & Wild Rice Soup

4 cups chicken broth

Boneless chicken breast

1 box of Uncle Ben's Original Long Grain & Wild Rice

Diced carrots, onions, and celery

Olive oil

Salt

Pepper

1/2 cup white wine

Sliced mushrooms

Flour

1/2 cup butter or margarine

2 cups heavy cream

Cook rice according to the directions on the box, reserving the seasoning packet.

Saute diced carrots, onions and celery, then add broth, cooked chicken, salt and pepper, and set aside.

Melt the butter in a saucepan and then stir in the seasoning packet from the rice. Once that's incorporated well, whisk in flour by spoonfuls to form a roux. Whisk in cream a little at a time until incorporated into the roux and smooth. Cook until thickened, about 5 minutes.

Stir the cream mixture into the broth. At this point add sliced mushrooms and a half cup of white wine and cook over medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes.

Since rice tends to swell up in soup, I kept that separate and added rice and soup mixture to our individual bowls. I think I'll add a garnish of crumbled bacon the next time. It will make it even more divine!

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Stop by and visit our hostess for Foodie Friday, Michael at Designs By Gollum, to see what she's got cooking this week.

Valentine Treats

2010-02-15T10:24:00.008-05:00

These are the flowers Mr. Maison gave me...and some chocolate wine. Yum!

Valentine's Tablescape

2010-02-10T17:14:00.017-05:00

For this week's Tablescape Thursday, I did a Valentine table for two on the cocktail table in my family room.

Prosecco...

...with some raspberries plopped in...it doesn't get any better than this!

Conversation hearts, along with Peeps, remain some of my favorite treats...

Visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday.

Visit Laurie for her Valentine's Party.

Since my tablescape involved *pink*, I'm also linking to Pink Saturday, hosted by Beverly at How Sweet The Sound.

I hope everyone enjoys Valentine's Day with their sweetie!

Tiered Server

2010-02-07T18:42:00.009-05:00

I've not participated in Metamorphosis Monday in quite a while, so I thought I would show you how to make these easy tiered servers. All you need is a dinner plate and a salad plate, a candlestick holder, and GE Silicone II clear caulking for windows and doors. I got the candlestick holder at the Dollar Tree and the two plates at Home Goods. Total cost of this project was about $8.00.

This is the same stuff I used when I made my Dollar Tree hurricanes.

Mr. Maison helped out by putting the caulking around the top, smaller part of the candle holder.

Then place it caulk side down onto the center of your plate.

Once that's set up, caulk the top edge of the candle holder and then place your salad plate on top. Voila! You have an instant tiered server. This is great because you can use any plates you like, or do holiday-themed ones.

Pop over and visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for lots of amazing transformations.

Foodie Friday: Tomato Basil Linguine

2010-01-28T17:50:00.006-05:00

Lately I've been stepping outside the box a bit when I fix pasta, and trying to get away from the same old red sauce (although I love that too). This week I cooked some tomato basil pasta and then drained it and added some Irish butter (recently discovered this and LOVE it!). Once the pasta was plated, I then added some curls of parmesan, and it's that simple. Everyone loved it and asked for me to fix it again soon.

Mmm...more Irish butter on the bread...

Be sure and visit Michael at Designs By Gollum for Foodie Friday to see what she has cooked up for us this week, and to visit the other participants.

Tablescape Thursday

2010-01-27T14:11:00.013-05:00

Welcome to Tablescape Thursday. Be sure and visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch to see what beautiful table she's come up with this week, and to visit the other participants.

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This week I decided to pull in the little blue bistro set from my backyard and set a table in our morning room. This room started life as a dining room, but since we don't have an eat-in kitchen (except for a couple of stools at the island), we use our dining room every day. And someone (I won't say who) bought a few extra pieces of furniture which could not be stuffed into the already cramped dining room. Since we rarely used the formal living room, we flip-flopped the two rooms, so now we have a large dining room. The sleeper sofa in our living room also serves as a second guest bed when we have more than one couple visiting, and this actually works out better as it's at the back of the house and affords more privacy than before.

I got these adorable cups and saucers from Horchow...

The little frog is so sweet...

Potato Soup

2010-01-20T08:51:00.015-05:00

Recently, Mari at Once Upon A Plate posted some wonderful tomato soup in the sweetest little "tureens." It turns out that the tureens were actually covered sugar bowls. Mari was kind enough to share the pattern, Rose Chintz by Johnson Brothers. I bought some, and they worked perfectly this past weekend when I made potato soup for Mr. Maison and I.

Potato Soup: Saute onions, carrots and celery in olive oil. Then add water and diced potatoes and salt and pepper. Cook until the vegetables are done, and then add in butter and half and half (I have used regular milk or heavy cream also).

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Since this post contains a tablescape, food and *pink*, I'm linking to Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch, Foodie Friday at Designs By Gollum and Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound. Thanks to all three of these ladies who graciously host these events each week!

Sophie

2010-01-14T19:00:00.001-05:00

Our cat Sophie went to the Rainbow Bridge tonight. I can imagine that she's found her sister Sassy and that they are frolicking about, pain-free, and restored to health and vigor.

Here's a couple of pictures of Sophie from a couple of years back. She was always such a teeny, petite little thing, with the longest tail...

This was Sophie with her human brother and sister, when they were all just wee babes, eight years ago when we bought our house and were in the middle of a remodel...

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... Author unknown...

Linguine with Clams

2010-01-07T12:00:00.009-05:00

This week I made a simple linguine and clams dish that Mr. Maison and Young Maison raved about (Ballerina Maison ate it too, but she picked the clams out of hers...ha!).

I served it out of this huge Paula Deen Peony Patch bowl I bought at Tuesday Morning a few months back. Now that the holidays are over, I'm ready for a bit of spring, even if it is just in dishes.

To make this saute minced garlic and red pepper flakes in olive oil, being careful not to burn the garlic. Next add a cup of white wine to the pan and add clams and cover. Cook until the clams open up, discarding any that didn't open. Meanwhile, cook your linguine. When the pasta and clams are finished, mix together and add more olive oil and toss. If it's a bit too dry, you can add some of the cooking water from the pasta. Garnish with flat leaf parsley. Mmm...so easy and so good!

Stop by and visit Michael at Designs By Gollum to see what she has cooked up for us this week.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T14:02:00.005-05:00

Happy New Year, everyone! Our evening started out as a quiet night at home, with my parents who are still visiting. Some friends called around 9:00 and we ended up having an impromptu party at our house. After all the cooking at Christmas, we decided to take the easy route for New Year's and just ordered in pizza. I did make some chocolate chip turtle cookie bars, though...yummy!

Click HERE for the recipe from the Betty Crocker website.

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It's traditional to burn a bayberry candle on New Year's Eve. You're supposed to burn it down to the nub, and peace, prosperity and happiness will follow for the coming year.

Hope everyone had a fun and safe New Year's. Join Michael at Designs By Gollum for Foodie Friday.

Foodie Friday: Christmas Eve

2009-12-25T01:24:00.014-05:00

Merry Christmas! Here's our Christmas Eve spread. We usually do appetizers in prep for the big dinner...

Come on in and grab a plate...

Take a napkin and start with the veggie tray...

And sushi...

Buffalo wings and mini crabcakes...

...and aged English cheddar with red pepper jelly...

Mmm...cheese fondue...with chunks of bread...

Notice anything in back of the chipotle meatballs?

It's Ralphie's house, from "A Christmas Story." Our family *loves* this movie!

Have a little dessert...peppermint crunch candy and red velvet cake balls...

Cheese Fondue ala The Melting Pot:

Heat 4-6 oz white wine, juice of 1/2 lemon, 1/2 t garlic, 4 cups emmenthalar and gruyere, shredded and lightly dusted with flour, add in nutmeg, fresh ground pepper, and Kirschwasser (cherry brandy) when ready to serve...

After you visit Michael at Designs by Gollum, be sure to get nestled snug in your bed so Santa can come visit you. May he bring you everything you wish for!

Tablescape Thursday: Merry Christmas!

2009-12-23T19:07:00.026-05:00

My camera lens was borken last week, so this week you get two tablescapes for the price of one! this first tablescape is the one that I've got all set up and ready to go for Christmas day. I tried my hand at making a "Colonial Williamsburg" type centerpiece. I first saw this on Susan's blog last year.

I got the placemats at K-Mart last year on clearance...

I'm using gold chargers and my Spode Christmas Tree plates...

I used my treble clef flatware as this is the time to make a joyful noise unto the Lord...

Santa's eyeview...

This place is set for my son Nick...not St. Nick!

My small Dept. 56 Dickens Village collection...

The candyland tree in my dining room...

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This is the tablescape I was going to post last week, but since I only got my new camera lens on Monday, I thought I'd post it this week...

The salad plates and tureen are by Portmeirion...

Rudolph's eyeview...

Please visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday, and have a Merry Christmas!

Deck The Halls 12/22

2009-12-21T23:49:00.015-05:00

I finally have a new lens for my camera, so I got together a post of most of the rest of my Christmas decorations.

This is the tablescape I was going to post last week...better late than never!

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring...not even a mouse...eek!

I call this my Krinkles tree. It's got lots of Christmas Krinkles ornaments by Patience Brewster. I just love her whimsical Krinkles ornaments.

Cute little Mr. and Mrs. Squirrel...

A little gingerbread couple, by Lenox...

This is the Bath and Bodyworks gingerbread house luminary that's taken the blog world by storm. I was lucky enough to find one locally...

Dept. 56 Dickens Village...

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A couple of bloggers made the chocolate mice last year and I thought they were so cute. This year I decided to try my hand at making them. I wasn't brave enough, though, to try to give them any eyes! To make these cute little critters just melt some chocolate. Then dip stemmed maraschino cherries into the chocolate and place on a waxed paper lined cookie sheet. Next attach a Hershey's Kiss next to the chocolate-covered cherry to form the head (the melted chocolate will act as your glue). And finally, slip two sliced almonds in between the Kiss and the chocolate cherry to make ears, and...voila...you have a chocolate mouse.

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Stop by and visit and visit Susan at Thoughts From Over The Rainbow for Deck The Halls.

***There's still time to take advantage of the discount of $15 off an order of $60 or more that Colonial Candle is offering my readers. Use promotional code MAMAISON15 at checkout. This is good through 12/31/09.

I Believe...

2009-12-21T19:47:00.004-05:00

...in Santa...

...and elves...

...and fairies...

Do you believe? I love this magical time of the year, filled with love and hope, when anything seems possible.

Metamorphosis Monday: Tablescapes

2009-12-20T18:53:00.009-05:00

I still haven't been able to replace my camera or lense, and since I can't take pictures right now, I thought I'd do a Met Monday post showing how my tablescapes have evolved.

Here is one of my very early tablescapes when I was new to blogging. See anything missing? I forgot the glasses. I used to be terrible about forgetting either the glasses or the flatware. I didn't use a lot of layering in the beginning either.

My next tablescape shows that I started adding layers and more filler objects in, but...I used a flash. I learned that pictures taken with a flash look so much more sterile and washed out. And see that shadow on the left-hand side of the next picture? That was part of my hand.

This next picture is a simple outdoor tablescape for two, but I love it for the softness of the tablecloth and flowers.

This is one of my favorite tablescapes of all time. I like the lighting, and all the different layers and objects I used, and the soft, pretty pink colors.

And this was my Thanksgiving table this year...

That's my mini met for the week. Swing by and visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday.

Camera Woes :(

2009-12-19T16:10:00.001-05:00

I've not blogged in over a week, since my camera has been broken, and I'm totally having withdrawals. Just bought a new camera today, so I'm anxious to jump back in. This is a terrible time of year to not have a camera.

Tablescape Thursday: Winter Wonderland

2009-12-09T17:34:00.020-05:00

It's that time, again, for Tablescape Thursday hosted by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. Swing by Susan's blog to see what eye candy she has to share this week, and to visit the other participants.

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I did sort of a winter wonderland theme this week...

Baby, it's cold outside...come in by the fire...

An abominable snowman's eyeview...

Mr. Maison, who almost always helps me with tablescapes, made the centerpiece this week...a log with tealights. This was cut from a huge branch that fell out of our backyard tree during a recent Nor'easter and barely missed our house. All you need is a 1 1/2 inch paddle drill bit (not sure if that's the "technical term" -- ha!) and a piece of wood. This works well for fruits and veggies too. You can click HERE to see my tablescape with apple tealight holders made this way.

We have Santa...

...and sparkly trees...pretend these little trees have frozen with ice on them...

...and snowmen (and women!)...

...and reindeer...

...and an igloo...

Reindeer tealight holders are from Colonial Candle

Red table runners are from Dollar Tree

Snowman plates and S&P shakers are from Dollar General

Log tealight holder...made by Mr. Maison -- priceless!

Don't forget that Colonial Candle is offering my readers a discount of $15 off an order of $60 or more. This is good through 12/31/09. Just use promotional code MAMAISON15 at checkout.

Candyland Tree

2009-12-07T17:16:00.013-05:00

We got around to some more holiday decorating this past weekend...

Here's my fireplace and mantle, all "Christmased" up...

This is the candyland tree I have in my dining room. I've been collecting ornaments for it for the past three years.

Hmmm...why is it I get hungry every time I look at this tree?

This is a cute little Christmasy bouquet that Mr. Maison brought home to me yesterday...

This is my white Santa on an Ethan Allen table I recently found on Craigslist for $55 (yay!). I've flanked Santa with my Spode Christmas Tree hurricanes...

Please visit Susan at Thoughts From Over The Rainbow for Deck The Halls. You're sure to see lots of pretty holiday decorating.

Christmas Mantle & Fireplace

2009-12-06T13:41:00.013-05:00

This past week I switched out some items on my fall mantle for a Christmas look. Here's the before:

And here's the after:

I changed out the items in my Dollar Tree hurricanes. They're now ready for Christmas...

Visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday.

All candleholders (except the hurricanes) are from Colonial Candle

I found the red mercury glass trees at Home Goods

Colonial Candle is offering my readers a discount of $15 off an order of $60 or more. This code is good through the end of the year. Just use promo code MAMAISON15 at checkout.

Deck The Halls, December 1

2009-11-30T18:32:00.011-05:00

I've got a tiny start on my Christmas decorating. Here's the wreath on my front door. Please come on in!

I pulled out my Spode Christmas tree candlestick holders and paired them with my floral arrangment that's left over from Thanksgiving. I think the colors are kind of Christmasy.

Visit our hostess, Susan at Thoughts From Over The Rainbow, for lots more seasonal decorating.

Branch candle snuffer and red tapers are from Colonial Candle. Colonial Candle has graciously extended readers of my blog a $15 discount off of an order of $60 or more. This is good through the end of the year. Just use promo code MAMAISON15 at checkout.

Thanksgiving Table

2009-11-25T15:40:00.015-05:00

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love it because it's all about being thankful for what we have, and getting together with family and friends to share some good food. This year it's going to be the four of us, plus my parents.

Johnson Brothers Autumn Monarch china...

Crystal goblets are Shannon by Godinger -- a great deal at Sam's Club...

I'm using crystal salt cellars and silver salt spoons...

Here's my very first attempt at a floral centerpiece...

I put fresh cranberries in the vase also...

A candleholder I made with a fresh pie pumpkin...

Stop by and visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for lots of pretty tables.

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving from Ma Maison!

Thanksgiving Sneak Peak

2009-11-24T07:30:00.004-05:00

I started working on my Thanksgiving tablescape last night, so I thought I'd show you a small bit of what's to come...

Dollar Tree Hurricanes

2009-11-22T12:38:00.009-05:00

These Dollar Tree hurricanes have taken the Internet by storm. Last week one of the sweet ladies at the Gardenweb Holiday Forum posted about a blogger named Melissa that had made these pretty hurricanes from items found at the Dollar Tree. They were inspired by very pricey ones at Williams Sonoma.

It took visits to a few stores, but I finally got the supplies I needed. I found the candlesticks and the hurricane/vases, but couldn't find the tall, slim jar candles at any of the Dollar Trees I visited. We found these prayer candles at an Hispanic grocery store, and they worked great.

Melissa had hot-glued her hurricanes to the candlesticks, but some of the ladies at Gardenweb suggested using G.E. Silicone II clear caulking for windows and doors for a project like this, so that's what I did.

Here are the supplies:

And here's a completed hurricane:

I put mine on my mantle as I already have my centerpiece planned out for my Thanksgiving table, but these would look wonderful on your table too.

The total cost of these hurricanes was approximately $4 each. I placed leaves and nandina berries from my yard in them. What's nice about these is that you can switch out the items around the candle to fit any holiday.

Sorry about the bright picture, but the sun was streaming in my kitchen window. Hey, I won't complain; I love the sunshine! I wanted to post about my two Cracker Barrel finds from last night. This beautiful tureen was half off...

...as was the squirrel salt & pepper shakers...

I collect tureens, and I'm nuts about acorns (pun intended!), so I was thrilled with these finds.

Visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday. There are sure to be lots of neat before and after projects.

Chili and Cucumber Salad

2009-11-19T16:16:00.004-05:00

The other night I fixed chili, along with cucumber salad. Just as I love chili and soups all year long, even in summer, so do I love cold salads all through the year too. I've been fixing fairly easy things this last week or two in readiness for all the cooking next week.

I make cucumber salad two different ways. This one is Greek-style yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, salt, pepper and dill. It's very refreshing. My son has deemed it his favorite salad ever :)

Be sure to stop by and visit our hostess for this event, Michael at Designs By Gollum, for more tasty food.

Tablescape Thursday: Indian Summer

2009-11-11T17:15:00.018-05:00

Welcome to Tablescape Thursday, my favorite meme. Susan at Between Naps on the Porch graciously hosts this event each week for us.

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This past weekend the weather was great, so I set the table out on the porch. The Indian summer didn't last long, though, as we're having a Nor'easter right now, and as Yukon Cornelius says, "It's not fit for man nor beast out there."

I love these Heisey cornucopia candleholders, and I think I've used them in every fall tablescape I've done this year.

An apple, turned into a tealight holder...

All you need is a drill, with a 1 1/2 inch paddle bit attached, and voila, you have a tealight holder!

Dinner plates: Dollar Tree

Placemats, goblets, napkin rings, pumpkin in centerpiece, and leaf bowls: Wal-Mart

Amber taper candles: Colonial Candle

Napkins: April Cornell

***Don't forget that Colonial Candle is offering my readers a discount of $15 off an order of $60 or more from now until the end of the year. Just use promo code MAMAISON15 at checkout.

Happy Birthday, Lucy!

2009-11-11T17:10:00.004-05:00

My little puggy-wuggy Lucy turned four on Monday. Here's her banana and ice cream "sundae."

And here is the birthday girl face first into her sundae, with her other birthday goodies close by.

Happy Birthday, Lucy! Our life wouldn't be complete without you!

Pink Saturday: Homecoming Dance

2009-11-06T17:38:00.005-05:00

Welcome to Pink Saturday, hosted by Beverly at How Sweet the Sound! Stop by Beverly's blog for lots more pink!

~~~

My daughter's homecoming dance was last Saturday (Halloween!), and she wore a pink dress with black lace on the top.

She dances on stage all the time, but hates to have her picture taken! I managed to snap a couple.

Tablescape Thursday: Autumn Table

2009-11-04T18:13:00.033-05:00

Welcome to Tablescape Thursday, hosted by the diva of dishes herself, Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. Stop by and pay Susan a visit, and be sure to check out the other participants also.

I did a table this week mostly using pieces I've shown before, just mixed up in a different way to come together for an autumn tablescape.

By candlelight...

Amber tapers: Colonial Candle
Napkin rings and pumpkin salad plates: Wal-mart
Tureen: American Atelier
Twig flatware: Traders & Co., on Amazon
Napkins: April Cornell
Mugs and acorn and pumpkin salt & pepper shakers: Family Dollar
Bird tealight holder: The Inglenook Decor

Don't forget that Colonial Candle is offering my readers a discount of $15 off an order of $60 or more. Use promotional code MAMAISON15 at checkout. This offer is good through the end of the year!

Colonial Candle Giveaway at Between Naps on the Porch

2009-11-01T22:18:00.003-05:00

Dear Susan, at Between Naps on the Porch, is having a giveaway each day of this week, with a different Colonial Candle item each day. I have TONS of their candles and accessories and it's truly quality stuff, so hop on over to Susan's and try to win!

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T05:58:00.000-04:00

Here's a treat for you: Colonial Candle is offering my readers a discount of $15 off an order of $60 or more from now until 12/31/09. Use promo code MAMAISON15 at checkout. It's no trick!

Monster Mash

2009-10-28T19:07:00.026-04:00

Welcome to Tablescape Thursday! Please visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch, our hostess for this event.

~~~

For this week's Tablescape Thursday I didn't do a traditional, dining-type tablescape, but rather vignettes with my two Halloween trees.

I have been haunting (pun intended!) eBay and Amazon in search of Halloween ornaments, and I've bought a ton. Mr. Maison is going to behead me if I buy one more ornament!

First off: Please ignore the ugly cords hanging down. Before we bought our house and remodeled the kitchen there was a peninsula cabinet here, and a place for a wall phone (remember those?!). Anyway...we have a devil of a time (another pun intended!) getting electricians, plumbers, dry-wallers, and such, so the ugly cords still dangle.

This cute flicker candle is from Colonial Candle...

Would you care for some ghoulade?

It's hard to tell, but there's skull-shaped ice cubes floating in the ghoulade...

Ghoulade not to your liking? Then have some mulled wine...

I love this cheeky little guy...

I followed Gollum's cue with this Halloween tree made of just twigs gathered in the yard...

I love these candy corn Kisses!

Don't forget your treat on the way out...

Gnarled black tree: Lenox

Flicker candle, candy bowl, votive holders and wall clings: Colonial Candle

Here's a treat for you: Colonial Candle is offering my readers a discount of $15 off an order of $60 or more from now until 12/31/09. Use promo code MAMAISON15 at checkout. It's no trick!

Log Tealight Holder

2009-10-27T14:08:00.002-04:00

I was recently asked by CSN Stores.com to do a review of one of their products, and they graciously sent me this log tealight holder.

Hop on over to my review blog to read more about it.

Three or More Tuesday: The Tassel House

2009-10-26T15:31:00.016-04:00

Welcome to Three or More Tuesday! Please visit our hostess for this event, Tam at The Gypsy's Corner.

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I have a confession to make: Not only am I a dishaholic, but now I'm a tasselaholic! I've had lots of plain tassels around the house for years, but I recently discovered Angela's work and immediately fell in love. She puts so much detail into each tassel, and they truly are little pieces of art. You can visit her Etsy shop HERE. Pictures don't do these cuties justice. They are so rich and full when you see them.

This is my harvest/Thanksgiving tassel. I tried to get a closeup of the words, but they didn't show up very well. It says "Our Blessings Grow Around Us."

Next I'm showing you my Peace Angel tassel. I can't wait to display this after Thanksgiving, and I'll leave it up through Christmas.

This is my cardinal tassel. I love birds, anything red, and the cardinal is the Virginia state bird, so I just had to have this. Really. I. Did. I didn't have a choice!

Angela called this the Big Mama Bird tassel...and it is huge! I have it hanging on the sofa table that our flat screen is sitting on.

I love this bow in the back. It reminds me of an old-fashioned lady's bustle.

Tweaking the Fireplace

2009-10-25T17:36:00.012-04:00

Welcome to Metamorphosis Monday, hosted by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch!

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I have just a small change I'm sharing this week. I tweaked my fireplace decorations a bit. Here's the before picture...

And here's the after picture. I changed out/added some candle holders, and added some glass pumpkins and a leaf garland to the mantel...

I'm also trying something different inside the fireplace...

I've been burning a yummy, licorice-scented Halloween candle from Colonial Candle...

I will be having an upcoming review and giveaway on my review blog, so stop back again for more details. Also, you can grab my review/giveaway button and link and add it to your sidebar if you wish.

Bird taper holders, amber taper candles, and mirrored votive/tealight holders: Colonial Candle

Glass pumpkins and leaf garland: Dollar Tree

Log tealight holder: CSN Stores.com

Stemmed candle holders: Yankee Candle

Colonial Candle has graciously extended their discount for my readers of $15 off an order of $60 or more. Use promotional code MAMAISON15 at checkout, and this is good through 12/31/09.

A Haunted Tablescape

2009-10-21T18:00:00.039-04:00

Welcome to my ghoulishly fun tablescape. Please visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday and Michael at Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday.

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Enter...if you dare! Mwah, hah, hah, hah, hah!

Eeek! Look out for the mice! They are looking for something to nibble on...

Here's a nice bench for you to rest your weary bones on...don't mind the cobwebs...they add to the ambience...

Quoth the raven, "Nevermore!"

Won't you have some witch's brew?

Don't mind the eyeballs...they add to the taste...

A spider's eyeview...

Nightfall is setting in...get out...while you still can! Mwah, hah, hah, hah, hah!

"Will you walk into my parlour?" said the Spider to the Fly...

~~~

Witch's Brew: Mix equal parts orange juice and orange soda. Add eyeballs or any other body parts you wish!

Black plates: Big Lots

Pumpkin salad plates and gummy eyeballs: Wal-Mart

Tablecloth, napkins and glasses: T.J. Maxx

Ravens: Dollar Tree

Mini orange and black buckets: Dollar bin at Target

Black taper candles: Colonial Candle

Don't forget that Colonial Candle is offering my readers a discount of $15 off a $60 or more order now through Halloween. Use promo code MAMAISON15 at checkout. They have great candles, and some really cool Halloween items.

A Review and a Giveaway!

2009-10-18T18:55:00.001-04:00

I wanted to let my readers know about an upcoming review and giveaway I will be doing for CSNstores.com. They have tons of fireplaces and other nice decorative and seasonal items. I thought these Amish Fireplaces were particularly nice, especially since I have an electric fireplace in my dining room. When I have completed the review, I will link from here to my review blog, so stay tuned!

Foodie Friday...Swiss Stuffing Chicken

2009-10-15T17:28:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Foodie Friday, hosted by Michael at Designs by Gollum. Please pay her blog a visit for lots more food!

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For this week's Foodie Friday I fixed Swiss Stuffing Chicken, and served some lima beans on the side. I found this recipe a couple of months ago, and it's so easy and so good that it's on a weekly or biweekly rotation at our house. With our weeknight shuttle with the kids, I'm all about easy.

SWISS STUFFING CHICKEN

Boneless chicken breasts

Slices of Swiss cheese

can of cream of chicken soup

1/4 cup white cooking wine

pepper

Pepperidge Farm Herb-seasoned Stuffing Mix

1/2 stick butter or margarine, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Lay raw chicken in prepared dish, then lay cheese slices on top. Mix together cream of chicken soup, wine, and pepper. Pour over chicken and cheese, then top with the stuffing mix. Drizzle melted butter over the top and bake for one hour.

~~~

Although the directions don't say to cover it, I always do. The first time I made it, I didn't cover it and the stuffing mix got a little too dry, so now I always make it in my Corning Ware covered casserole dish.

Under the Weather...

2009-10-14T14:16:00.003-04:00

I've been missing for a week, and I can't believe I don't even have an installment for Tablescape Thursday, my very favorite blog event! I've been under the weather, but am slowly feeling back to my old self. I hope to have a post for Foodie Friday, and I got some new goodies in the mail that I can't wait to share with you.

Tablescape Thursday: It's Harvest Time!

2009-10-07T16:24:00.020-04:00

Welcome to Tablescape Thursday! Please visit our hostess for this event, the dish diva herself, Susan at Between Naps on the Porch.

~~~

Since the weather is finally cooling off some, I decided to come up with a harvest-themed table...

My tablecloth is cream on one half and beige on the other half. It's filled with veggies and gardening tools...

...and birdhouses...

...which led me to working in some birds for this tablescape...

Tablecloth is Le Jaquard Francais

Napkins are April Cornell

Dishes are Gibson, from Big Lots

Clay "chargers" and "candleholders" are from that exclusive boutique -- Home Depot!

Bird tealight holders are from Colonial Candle
Bird wine glasses are from Old Time Pottery, in the spring

Pumpkin tureen is by American Atelier, from Overstock.com

***Don't forget that Colonial Candle is offering my readers a discount of $15 off an order of $60 or more from now until Halloween. Use promo code MAMAISON15 at checkout.

Easy Beef Stew

2009-10-06T18:33:00.011-04:00

Please visit our hostesses for these events: Debbie for Crockpot Wednesdays and Michael for Foodie Friday. You're sure to find lots of tasty recipes.

~~~

This past Sunday I found an easy crockpot beef stew recipe in the coupon inserts. Since the kids have so many activities during the week, I'm always on the lookout for something easy to put together.

French's Slow Cooker Beef Stew

2 lbs cubed beef stew meat

1 cup chopped onion

1 T minced garlic

2 12 oz jars beef gravy

1/4 cup worcestershire sauce

1 lb small potatoes halved (some of mine were a little larger so I quartered them)

1 1/2 cups baby carrots

2 cups frozen peas, thawed

Season meat with salt and pepper to taste. Brown meat in oil and then transfer to crockpot. Stir in remaining ingredients except the peas and cover. Cook on high 4 1/2 hour or on low for 9 hours. Add peas during last 10 minutes.

***Don't forget that Colonial Candle is offering my readers a discount of $15 off a $60 or more order. Use promo code MAMAISON15 at checkout. This offer is good through 10/31/09.

It's Fall Y'all!

2009-09-30T16:00:00.002-04:00

Please visit Rhoda for It's Fall Y'all!, Susan for Tablescape Thursday, and Michael for Foodie Friday, and be sure to check out the other participants while you're there.

~~~

The Autumn by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Go, sit upon the lofty hill,

And turn your eyes around,
Where waving woods and waters wild

Do hymn an autumn sound.

The summer sun is faint on them --

The summer flowers depart --

Sit still -- as all transform'd to stone,

Except your musing heart.

How there you sat in summer-time,

May yet be in your mind;

And how you heard the green woods sing
Beneath the freshening wind.

Though the same wind now blows around,

You would its blast recall;

For every breath that stirs the trees,

Doth cause a leaf to fall.

Oh! like that wind, is all the mirth

That flesh and dust impart:

We cannot bear its visitings,

When change is on the heart.

Gay words and jests may make us smile,

When Sorrow is asleep;

But other things must make us smile,

When Sorrow bids us weep!

The dearest hands that clasp our hands, --

Their presence may be o'er;

The dearest voice that meets our ear,

That tone may come no more!

Youth fades; and then, the joys of youth,

Which once refresh'd our mind,

Shall come -- as, on those sighing woods,

The chilling autumn wind.

Hear not the wind -- view not the woods;

Look out o'er vale and hill--

In spring, the sky encircled them --

The sky is round them still.

Come autumn's scathe -- come winter's cold --

Come change -- and human fate!

Whatever prospect Heaven doth bound,

Can ne'er be desolate.

~~~

I love fall! In fact, it's my favorite time of the year...

Pansies...

"Autumn Joy" sedum...

Won't you come in and visit?

A mug of steaming veggie soup to warm you up...

Let's check out the dining room, all decked out for fall...

Cornucopia candle holder with pumpkin-colored candle...

Let's have apple cider tea by the fireplace, along with a mulling spice spoon...

....or, perhaps, hot chocolate with a big, fluffy marshamallow...

A marshmallow roast around a bonfire...

Some easy comfort food to warm you...

A cozy glass of wine on a chilly night...

New fall-colored pillows...

Thanks for stopping by. Come back and visit again soon!

Sources:

Bird and pine cone candle holders, candle snuffer, tapers and pillars are from Colonial Candle
Pumpkin-shaped candle holders are from Target
Cornucopia candle holders are by Heisey
Small glass pumpkins are from Dollar Tree
***Don't forget that Colonial Candle is offering my readers a $15 discount off an order of $60 or more through 10/31/09. Use promo code MAMAISON15 at checkout.

Between Naps on the Porch Giveaway

2009-09-27T22:14:00.001-04:00

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch is having a fall giveaway of a beautiful tassel from The Tassel House. Click HERE to get all the 411!

Metamorphosis Monday: Fireplace

2009-09-27T18:00:00.002-04:00

Welcome to Metamorphosis Monday! Please visit our hostess Susan's blog Between Naps on the Porch to see what transformations she and the other participants have to show us.

~~~

I've never been happy with our fireplace, and we've not burned a fire in it in the whole seven and a half years we've lived here. I'd like to eventually have the whole thing refaced with granite tiles and wood for a more modern look, but for now we've made some small changes with paint and decor.

I still like most of the pieces I had decorated the fireplace with, but I wanted to try a cleaner, less cluttered look for a change. Here's the before picture...

The firebox before painting...

And here's the finished product...

We're really enjoying the flicker of candlelight in the fireplace in the evenings...

The candle holder in the fireplace is from Colonial Candle, and I just draped a fall garland through it.

This pillar holder is also from Colonial Candle. It's part of the same line as the one inside the fireplace.

It's not a big change, but it's one that we're happy with for now.

***Colonial Candle is offering my readers a discount of $15 off a $60 or more order now through 10/31/09. Use promotional code MAMAISON15 at checkout.

Pink Saturday: Pink Princess

2009-09-25T19:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Pink Saturday! Please be sure to stop by and visit Beverly at How Sweet The Sound, and to see the list of other participants.

~~~

My cousin, her hubby, and baby Gracie came to visit us last week, and she wore a dress with lots of pink when we went out to dinner, and down to see the ocean.

Gracie got to see some ducks at the restaurant...

Here she is with her daddy, with the ocean as a backdrop...

"Miss Ashley"

2009-09-23T18:43:00.002-04:00

My 15-year-old daughter Ashley has been dancing since she was three. She's now in the senior dance company at her dance studio, and they have the senior girls (or "graduates") help out with the little girls (I call them twinkle toes :)

So starting tonight, on Wednesday evenings, she's "Miss Ashley."

Tablescape Thursday...Japanese Style

2009-09-23T16:00:00.002-04:00

Welcome to Tablescape Thursday. Please visit our lovely hostess for this event, Susan at Between Naps on the Porch, and stop by the other participants' blogs also.

~~~

I've set an Asian-themed table this week using a Churchill Blue Willow teaset and white dishes and bowls (Gibson from Big Lots).

There is a romantic story behind the Blue Willow pattern. I'm reprinting it from the Internet:

Once there lived a very wealthy mandarin who had a daughter named Hong Shee, who fell in love with her father's secretary, a man named Chang. To keep them apart, the father imprisoned his daughter in the palace. One day she escaped & the two lovers raced over the bridge to a waiting boat. They escaped, reached the boat & sailed away. A storm developed; the boat foundered; and the couple were lost at sea. It is said that two love birds appeared immediately thereafter - the spirits of Hong Shee & Chang, and live onto this day.

This lovely lady is waiting to serve us tea...green, of course!

The Target birds are standing in for the two star-crossed lovers...

There was an article about the proper way to serve tea in our newspaper a while back. One thing that was mentioned, that I didn't know, is that you should always point the handles of the teacups to match the time that tea will be served. Since I put this tablescape together around 4:00, I've turned the handles to reflect that time.

In keeping with the bird theme of the Churchill china, I used my Lenox Chirp napkin rings.

I used several of these crystal lotus votive holders from Colonial Candle.

Would you like some miso soup?

I recently heard the Japanese term Wabi-sabi, and fell in love with the tenant that nothing is ever complete or perfect. To me, life is ever-evolving, and not always perfect, but still good just the same. You can read more about it HERE.

Colonial Candle would like to offer a discount to the readers of my blog. For $15 off an order of $60 or more, use promotional code MAMAISON15 at checkout.

Outdoor Wednesday: Gracie

2009-09-22T16:14:00.017-04:00

Welcome to Outdoor Wednesday! Please visit our hostess, Susan at A Southern Daydreamer, and the other participants.

~~~

Last week my cousin, her hubby, and baby Gracie came to visit for a few days. We went out to eat at a marina on an inlet near the beach.

Gracie got to see some ducks at the restaurant...

Next we went to the oceanfront, where Gracie got to see the ocean for the very first time!

Look at all the seagull tracks!

That night we roasted marshmallows. Here's Ballerina Maison and Mr. Maison.

This was Gracie's first marshmallow roast. Here's her mom and dad, along with Mr. Maison.

Yummy, yummy!

The next day we went out on our boat.

Gracie turned out to be quite the little boater...

Rhondi's Welcome Fall Party

2009-09-22T09:22:00.015-04:00

I'm joining in on Rhondi's Welcome Fall Party. Please visit Rhondi at Rose Colored Glasses to see her beautiful bits of fall, along with all the other participants.

~~~

Come on in and visit for a while!

A pumpkin-colored taper in a Heisey cornucopia candle holder...

Thanks for visiting! Come back any time!

Don't forget that Colonial Candle is offering my readers a discount of $15 off a $60 and above order with promotional code MAMAISON15. This is good through 10/31. They have some adorable things for Halloween.

Tablescape Thursday: Ribbitt

2009-09-16T16:21:00.019-04:00

Welcome to Tablescape Thursday! Please visit our hostess for this event, the dish diva herself, Susan, at Between Naps on the Porch.

~~~

For this week's Tablescape Thursday I went with a frog and dragonfly theme. They do seem to go together so well.

We have a "camp fire" to keep us warm since the nights are getting chilly...

And candles to light up the night...I think these lotus votive holders kind of look like waterlilies.

This is a solar light that I normally keep on one of the bistro tables out back.

My sweet aunt, Regeana, got me these dragonfly placemats for my birthday...

I've used my fish floats again, along with a "fish net"...

A dragonfly's eyeview...

Twiggy flatware seemed appropriate for this setting...

A lilypad charger...

Don't forget that Colonial Candle is offering my readers $15 off an order of $60 or more with promo code MAMAISON15. This is good through Halloween.

Outdoor Wednesday...Fairies!

2009-09-15T14:28:00.009-04:00

Welcome to Outdoor Wednesday, hosted Susan at A Southern Daydreamer!

~~~

I had some very special guest photographers this week. While I couldn't snap their picture, here are some shots they took on their way home one summer's evening...

Can You Hear

Poem by Barbara Zimmerman

Can you hear snowflakes fall amid the frosty eve? Or hear dandelions float by on a summer breeze? Do you hear Milkweeds pop to send their seeds astray? Or see maple seeds twirling away?

Ahhhh, to taste nectar from wild Honeysuckles under a morning sky To watch floating leaves cascade down a mountain stream. Can you see fairies, nymphs or tiny elves, Sheltered in wooded glens? Waiting to see are you foe or friend.

Did you see them dance and sing as stars came out to shine? Their wings softly catching moonbeams As shards of color sparkled in your dream .

very carefully and you may hear, echoes of laughter in the glen Or see dancing fireflies just around the bend.

~~~

A while back I heard about fairy doors and just knew I had to have one so that I could invite the wee ones in. I also have a fairy lamp to light their way. Wee folk are very illusive, so I've yet to see one, but I left my camera out on the front porch one evening and mysteriously these pictures showed up.

It seems that fairy doors have cropped up all over Ann Arbor, Michigan. You can read about them HERE.

Rupert & Gabby

2009-09-12T20:18:00.003-04:00

I would like to introduce to you my newest blog assistants, Rupert & Gabby, from Colonial Candle. This line is called Monkeez, and they're fun for all ages. When I saw them, I knew I had to order some.

Since Lucy is my head blog assistant, she's teaching Rupert & Gabby the ropes. LOL!

Colonial Candle is offering a discount for the readers of my blog. Use promotional code MAMAISON15 at checkout for $15 off an order of $60 or more. This offer is good through 10/31/09.

Tablescape Thursday...Bonfire on the Beach

2009-09-09T17:15:00.023-04:00

Welcome to Tablescape Thursday! Please visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch, and the other participants, to see lots of creativity with dishes.

~~~

I've set the table with beachy dishes again this week. And since the weather is a bit cooler, let's pretend that the electric fireplace in the dining room is really a bonfire on the beach.

Starfish taper holders, aqua tapers, and crackled glass votive holders: Colonial Candle

Blue tealight holders: Dollar Tree

Dinner and salad plates: Kohl's

Napkins: Rose Tree Cornucopia from Amazon

Seahorse glasses: Pier One

Coral napkin rings: Jay Strongwater

Colonial Candles would like to extend a discount for the readers of my blog. Use code MAMAISON15 at checkout for $15 off an order of $60 or more. This code is good until 10/31/09.

Oyster Roast

2009-09-08T23:17:00.009-04:00

Since this week's Outdoor Wednesday also includes food, I thought I would link to both events.

~~~

This Labor Day weekend, we had an oyster roast. It was so much fun, and we really loaded up on these beauties!

Sorry about the blurry pics.

Please visit Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday and Michael at Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday.

Foodie Friday...Proscuitto Wrapped Stuffed Chicken Breast

2009-09-03T16:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Foodie Friday! This is one of my favorite blog events because, well, I just plain love to eat! Please visit our hostess, Michael at Designs by Gollum, to see what she's cooked up for us this week, and to visit the other participants.

~~~

This is a new recipe I've found, and it turned out so good that it will definitely be going in the rotation. It's proscuitto wrapped stuffed chicken breasts. I served it with garlic buttered noodles and a salad of field greens, blueberries, mango, red onion, walnuts and raspberry vinagrette.

PROSCUITTO WRAPPED STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Cut a slit/pocket into a boneless chicken breast. Place thinly sliced onions into the pocket. Mix up shredded mozzarella, salt, pepper and sage and add this to the pocket as well. Fold the breast closed as best you can and roll up in a couple pieces of thinly sliced proscuitto. Place on baking sheet, seam side down, and brush with olive oil. I baked these for 30 minutes at 400 degrees and then turned the oven down to 350 for 15 additional minutes. Next time I may try them at 350 or 375 for the entire time as the proscuitto got brown quickly at 400.

This was so easy and so good, and even looks "fancy" enough for company.

Tablescape Thursday...Dragonflies

2009-09-02T19:25:00.012-04:00

Welcome to Tablescape Thursday! Please visit our queen of tablescapes, Susan at Between Naps on the Porch, to see what loveliness she has in store for us this week, and to see a list of other participants.

~~~

This week I've done a simple dragonfly tablescape on the blue bistro set. I found this cute dragonfly fabric at Hancock's earlier in the summer, and since I can barely sew a button, my sister-in-law Donna hemmed it into a little tablecloth and napkins for me. I used blue and green to tie in with the tablecloth, but it's got some purple in it too and I realized I have NO purple dishes at all! I will have to remedy that soon!

I also wanted to let my readers know that since I've been buying a TON of stuff from Colonial Candle, they would like to extend a discount code to all of you. For $15 off an order of $60 or more, use promotional code MAMAISON15.

The glasses have etched dragonflies and butterflies.

I had my eye on the salad plates at Marshall's for a while, and when they were reduced to $1 each, I snapped some up!

Candle Lantern is from Colonial Candle

Blue dinner plates, glasses and flatware are from Big Lots

Green salad plates are from Marshall's

Dragonfly napkin rings are Kim Seybert from Nieman Marcus

Outdoor Wednesday...Scenes from the Boat

2009-09-01T16:01:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Outdoor Wednesday, hosted by Susan at A Southern Daydreamer. Please visit Susan's wonderful blog to see what outdoor beauty she's posted this week, and to visit the other participants.

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Cue the Jaws music: Da-duh-da-duh-da-duh-da...

It's not Jaws; just some friendly dolphins that put on a show for us!

~~~

Here's a sweet little osprey family in their nest...

I'm glad I got that shot when I did because the next time we went boating, all the babies had flown the nests.

Pink Saturday...Tea for One

2009-08-28T15:57:00.004-04:00

Welcome to Pink Saturday. Beverly at How Sweet the Sound hosts this lovely event each week. Be sure to stop by to visit her and the other participants.

~~~

I had tea on the patio last night. I love this pattern, Peony Patch by Paula Deen. The tealight lantern by Colonial Candle features pink flowers, although they almost look red in these pictures.

Lately my favorite tea is green tea with honey and lime...so soothing.

Show Us Your Roosters Party

2009-08-27T17:44:00.013-04:00

This is something to crow about! Barb at Bella Vista is hosting a Show Us Your Roosters Party, so be sure to check out her blog to see what she has in store for us, and to find links to other participants.

~~~

My sweet sister-in-law Donna sent me this card a while back. It's got a little metal rooster on the front. It was so cute, I decided to keep it.

I found this rooster tablecloth at Big Lots earlier this summer. It's just perfect for a bistro table.

This dashing devil resides on our screened-in porch.

Oops! Got more than a rooster in this pic. Lucy was helping out.

Okay, so technically this is a chicken and not a rooster, but I think she's cute and decided to include her too.

Bridesmaids' Supper

2009-08-24T13:16:00.040-04:00

Kathleen at Cuisine Kathleen is hosting Let There Be White, Part II, featuring all white tablescapes. I'm also linking to Susan's blog, Between Naps on the Porch, for Tablescape Thursday. Please visit both these lovely ladies' blogs for lot of tablescaping inspiration.

~~~

Since this is an all-white table, it got me to thinking about weddings, so I thought I would do the table as a bridesmaids' supper, a last night alone with the girls before the big day...

These cute little bells came from Dollar Tree...

Hydrangeas, one of my favorites, and always appropriate for weddings...

Linen napkins embroidered with the bride-to-be's new initial.

I used Heisey sherbets in the Orchid pattern.

These cute little placecard holders feature a heart on the front, and they're also little vases. I just put faux daisies in them this time.

This little candleholder came from Colonial Candle. They feature them on their Website as being great for centerpieces for a wedding reception. You can find them HERE.

I love the soft glow of the table as evening falls...

Pink Saturday...Gingerbread Girl

2009-08-21T19:00:00.001-04:00

Welcome to Pink Saturday! Please visit our wonderful hostess for this event, Beverly at How Sweet the Sound, to see what pinkness she's sharing this week, and to visit the other participants.

~~~

This is a cute gingerbread girl I picked up last week that just happened to be wearing a pink bikini! I still love these and occasionally pick them up for my daughter and I. We really like that these have a lot of icing on them (but, alas, my waistline suffers for it).

Foodie Friday...Ceviche and Sangria

2009-08-20T17:14:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Foodie Friday! Be sure to stop by our hostess for the event's blog, Designs by Gollum, to see what yumminess Michael has cooked up this week, and to visit the other participants.

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This is some shrimp ceviche I made recently to take out on the boat. I served it in Tostito's bowl/scoop chips. I forgot my camera, so I had to take these with my cell phone.

I also made sangria again. While we liked this one, we preferred the peach sangria I made a while back. You can see that post/recipe HERE.

SHRIMP CEVICHE

frozen salad shrimp, thawed

diced cucumber, seeded

diced Roma tomatoes, seeded

diced red onion

diced mango

cilantro

fresh lime juice

Computer Woes...

2009-08-19T19:33:00.003-04:00

I've been missing in action most of this week as our Internet is down, and I've been sick. I hope to be operational again by tomorrow.

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Since this is Wednesday night, once again time for Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch, I tried to do a tablescape post on hubby's laptop, but the pictures are extremely slow to load, so I'm going to have to ditch the effort. Be sure to stop by and visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch, as well as the other participants for this week. It's a special celebration for Susan because this week is her 1 year blogoversary, and it marks 1 year that she's been hosting Tablescape Thursday, one of my favorite blog events ever.

Blue Monday...Redneck Flowerpot

2009-08-16T19:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Blue Monday, hosted by Sally at Smiling Sally. Please visit her blog for a list of other participants for this event.

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A while back Rhoda at Southern Hospitality had a post about Redneck Recycling. You can check out her post here.

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A while back, when Mr. Maison and I were out running some errands, we saw this blue toilet sitting in a yard with flowers planted in it. Yikes! You can't get much more redneck -- er, maybe make that blueneck -- than that! Anyway, I snapped a picture thinking it would make a funny Blue Monday post. I guess there's no accounting for some people's taste. LOL!

Tablescape Thursday...De La Mer

2009-08-12T12:39:00.029-04:00

Welcome to Tablescape Thursday, hosted by Susan at Between Naps On The Porch. Please visit Susan's wonderful blog to see what creativeness she came up with this week, and to visit the other participants.

Since my tablescape this week includes a lot of pink, I'm linking to Pink Saturday also. Please visit Bevery at How Sweet The Sound for more lovely pinkness.

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I'm calling my tablescape this week De La Mer, or From The Sea.

The tablecloth is Ile D'Aix by Yves Delorme. It features shells and coral.

The starfish taper holders are from Colonial Candle, as are the pink tapers and pink champagne votives.

This is really a bonsai tree candle, but I think it kind of looks like coral, so I used it for my seaside 'scape.

I painted some "coral" and stuck it in shell vases.

A soft Sea washed around the House, by Emily Dickinson

A soft Sea washed around the House

A Sea of Summer Air

And rose and fell the magic Planks

That sailed without a care --

For Captain was the Butterfly

For Helmsman was the Bee

And an entire universe

For the delighted crew

Crockpot Wednesday & Foodie Friday

2009-08-11T18:25:00.010-04:00

Welcome to Crockpot Wednesday and Foodie Friday! Please visit Debbie at Dining With Debbie, our hostess for Crockpot Wednesday, and Michael at Designs by Gollum, our hostess for Foodie Friday.

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Today I made round steak in the crockpot. This same method/recipe would work well for a roast too. First I seared the meat.

Then I placed it in the crockpot. I mixed up a packet of onion soup mix, a can of cream of mushroom soup, a soup can of water, sherry, sliced mushrooms, and Kitchen Bouquet. I then poured it over the meat and cooked it on low for approximately seven hours.

And here's the end result.

And Lucy helped too!

Three or More Tuesday...Fish Floats

2009-08-10T09:54:00.006-04:00

Welcome to Three or More Tuesday! Please visit our hostess, Tam at The Gypsy's Corner, and be sure to check out the other participants too.

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I used my glass fish floats as part of a tablescape last week, and I thought they would make for a good Three or More Tuesday post. I've only got these small ones that I keep in an apothecary jar, but there are larger ones out there, some as big as bowling balls.

Pink Saturday...The Olde Pink House

2009-08-07T19:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Pink Saturday! Hop on over to visit our hostess, Sally at Smiling Sally, for more pink.

A few weeks ago we were lucky enough to spend a night in Savannah, so hubby and I ate at The Olde Pink House. It's a beautiful building, and the food was wonderful too. It's allegedly haunted, so that really piqued my interest. Alas, none showed themselves to us that night.

The Haunting of the Olde Pink House Restaurant and Tavern
Today, this charming five-star restaurant is said to be haunted by Mr. James Habersham, himself.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/372464/the_haunting_of_the_olde_pink_house.html

Foodie Friday...Sangria!

2009-08-06T15:41:00.006-04:00

Welcome to Foodie Friday! Please be sure to visit our hostess, Michael at Designs by Gollum, for lots more yummy food.

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One of our favorite pasttimes is boating, and a couple of weeks ago, we took along some peach sangria. The Mason jars are not only cute, but very portable.

PEACH SANGRIA

1 bottle white wine (I usually use chardonnay)

1 cup Peach Schnapps

6 ounces frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed

Mix together and set aside.

Slice nectarines and divide them among your jars (this recipe will make four pint-sized jars) and then add sangria, leaving a bit of room in each jar. Refrigerate overnight or at least a few hours. Next, wash, dry and freeze green grapes. I add the grapes in when we're ready to pack them up/drink them, so they also serve as ice cubes without diluting your sangria down.

Tablescape Thursday...The Wind in the Willows

2009-08-05T16:37:00.017-04:00

Welcome to Tablescape Thursday! Our hostess for this event, Susan at Between Naps on the Porch, is extremely talented, so be sure to check out her blog and the other participants.

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I bought this little Wind in the Willows teapot a while back and thought it would work great in a tablescape/teascape.

When the girl returned, some hours later, she carried a tray, with a cup of fragrant tea steaming on it; and a plate piled up with very hot buttered toast, cut thick, very brown on both sides, with the butter running through the holes in it in great golden drops, like honey from the honeycomb. The smell of that buttered toast simply talked to Toad, and with no uncertain voice; talked of warm kitchens, of breakfasts on bright frosty mornings, of cosy parlour firesides on winter evenings, when one's ramble was over and slippered feet were propped on the fender; of the purring of contented cats, and the twitter of sleepy canaries. Toad sat up on end once more, dried his eyes, sipped his tea and munched his toast, and soon began talking freely about himself, and the house he lived in, and his doings there, and how important he was, and what a lot his friends thought of him.

(Excerpt from The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame)

My centerpiece is a jar of glass fish floats...

I mixed green lily pad chargers with the white "Gollum" dishes from Big Lots...

Cute froggy napkins I found at T.J. Maxx a while back...

Bees have landed on the flatware...

I mixed in my Red Cliff ironstone sugar and creamer...