Vintage Inspired (Ruche)

One of my favorite things to do when I am home visiting my father and mother is to go up into the attic and look at my mom's old dresses. I climb up the stairs, open up the window to let the sunlight in and then pull out one dress at a time. I try to imagine what it would have been like to have been standing in front of the mirror with layers of satin, lace and ribbon surrounding me.
There is a store whose clothing is beautiful, simple and very feminine and when I look at them, it reminds me of a different time...like the times when I have been in the attic daydreaming while holding one of my mother's gown.
(Photos courtesy of: www.shopruche.com)

It's The Little Things (Bicycles)

My first bicycle was a little pink one. My first real accident was on that little pink bike:) I was going down a hill and as my bicycle began to pick up speed I squeezed the brake handle....the front brake handle. I think you know what happened next:)
I have a special fondness for the old-fashioned bicycles with the baskets on the front.
(photos courtesy of: www.weheartit.com)

A Taste of Scandinavia (Cookbook)

It was the cover of Trina Hahnemann's cookbook that first captured my attention. It was the rest of her cookbook that captured my time. It's a cookbook you could look at over and over, one for the recipes, and two for the beautiful photos.
Her cookbook is laid out in seasons (Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter). Each season hosts different dishes and drinks. One thing this cookbook has inspired in me is to really stop and see the textures, colors and to take in the smells while I am preparing my meals; even one as simple as granola and fruit in the morning. I find the more time I give to notice my food, the more I enjoy the taste of my food.
I hope this weekend you will find that time to truly see & taste a meal with the ones you love.

Song of Day (Fallin for You)

One evening my friend pulled out her guitar and began singing a song that made me feel like I should be sitting around a campfire on a summer's evening, when I asked her who the song was by she said "Colbie Caillat". Since that evening, Colbie Caillat has become one of my favorite singer/songwriters. Her music style reminds you of a sunny beach day, and riding in a car with the windows rolled down. I just saw her newest music video and it was not only adorable, it made me burst out laughing. I don't want to tell you why, I think when you watch it you will understand.
I hope this Friday night, you will pull out your favorite music and depending on your music style, make you dance around, play the air guitar or sit back with a glass of wine in your hand with a smile on your face:)
(You can find her music video at: http://www.youtube.com/user/colbiechannel?blend=1&ob=4)

Rubber boots

One day when I was in Northern Ireland I was walking down a street, with the rain falling down when I glanced through the window of a shoe store and sitting there were a pair of rubber boots. For the next few weeks I was there, whenever I would see those boots they would make me smile. All I could see in my head when I saw them was an image of a little boy or girl sploshing around in the rain puddles with their rubber boots on, not caring about getting dirty or wet, but only caring about how high the water would go each time their rubbered sole would come down. One day, if I ever own a pair of rubber boots, I will wear them with a little spring dress, a packed lunch to eat in the park and maybe, just maybe jump into a puddle:)
(Photos courtesy of:weheartit.com)

The Gift of Time

This morning I sat down with my cup of coffee and this month's issue of Real Simple. As I came to page 206 there was an article titled: Their Gifts of Time. It shared the stories of five different individuals of varying ages, different professions, and race, but all choosing to do one common thing: using their time to help the lives around them. It reminds of someone in my life whom I admire and respect. She is a wife, has a full time job and consistently gives her time to help others. From helping clean her church, to recently volunteering to become a Big Sister in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program, she reminds me that one person (no matter how small the package:) can make a difference.
*You can find the article on the Real Simple website
http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/life-strategies/gifts-of-time-00000000030604/index.html?xid=cnnfeed

An Open face

I treasure the weekends that I have time to create new recipes~This weekend I made a fresh, open face sandwich that reminded me that spring is around the corner.
Ingredients:
1 piece rustic Italian bread
2 Tlb. Olive Oil
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 tsp. mayonnaise
Your choice of vegetables
(I used asparagus, zucchini, tomato, and romaine lettuce)
Your choice of cheese (I used crumbled sharp cheddar)
3 leaves of Basil for garnish
Directions
Place your piece of Italian bread into a skillet with the olive oil and garlic, on low heat. Toast both sides until golden brown.
Spread a light layer of mayonnaise and then prepare your vegetables. If you want to sauté some of your vegetables (like the zucchini and asparagus) you can use the same skillet that your toasted your bread in.
Place your cheese, and vegetables in layers on top of your garlic, toasted bread (I put the tomatoes on top because they are so colorful)
Put the 3 basil leaves on top, sprinkle with salt and pepper.
*I did add a nice Salami to it-you can either chose another meat like Turkey or Ham or simply have it vegetarian.

Friday Evening

It's Friday evening and my choice of movie is Ocean's 12. I'm not quite sure what it is about this movie that I find so funny. It's not "laugh so hard my side is hurting" funny, it's more subtle than that. First of all it's a con movie where all the cons are likable and second of all it's witty and smart in a light short of way.
This is what I am going to curl up in front of tonight:)

The elegance of pearls

When I was little, I remember seeing a pair of pearl earrings that my mother had, and thinking "they are soooo pretty" After I discovered how a pearl was created ("The formation of a natural pearl begins when a foreign substance slips into the oyster. The oyster's natural reaction is to cover up that irritant to protect itself. The mantle covers the irritant with layers of the same substance that is used to create the shell;this eventually forms a pearl) I thought they were even more lovely.
Elegant, simple, classic.
*Note:The store The Icing carries imitation pearl earrings that are very pretty and affordable.
(photo courtesy of: amazon.com/Tiffany-Pearls-John-Loring)

Made to feel like a lady

Yesterday as I was approaching the door to enter into the bookstore, an elderly man reached the door right before me. As he held it open for me, I said "thank you sir" and began to smile. Then as I approached the second set of doors, he rushed forward and said "Here let me get that one for you too". My heart melted. "Why?" you might ask. Because of this one simple reason: I was made to feel like a lady.
(photo courtesy of:dailymail.co.uk)

Engagement

en·gage·ment
1. betrothal
2. a pledge
One week before Valentine's Day one man, on a very ordinary evening asked a lady this question, "Will you marry me"? The phone rings, you answer it and you hear these words "I'm engaged!" To Rachael and Scott, I am so glad you found each other~

Simply beginning

Over a year ago there was a lady who suggested I start a blog and I had the intention of doing so, until I actually sat down in front of my computer and my mind went completely blank. I had absolutely no idea what I could blog about. It wasn't that I wasn't moved or inspired by anything, I think it was that many of my thoughts and feelings about what I have or do see in life seemed so...ordinary. So, one year later, my thoughts and feelings aren't any less ordinary, I think though I've seen that ordinary can often times be extraordinary if I allow it to be.