Are you looking for a GREEN St. Patricks Day meal?

 Try these enchiladas from the Mad Hungry Cookbook by Luicinda Scala Quinn.  They were delicious and simple.  The beautiful romaine lettuce was picked from our own garden.

Color inspiration from the first fallen mangoes

Thanksgiving Outdoors

For Thanksgiving this year we celebrated our meal outdoors.

Try a combination of rustic and fancy.  I paired the china my mother bought for me with bamboo salad plates.  The formal white table cloth, coffee bean sack, fall produce and mecury glass candlesticks also add interest to the table.

Apple Picking in my Hometown

On a recent trip back home.  My family was lucky enough to go apple picking at my Aunt's house just down the street from were I grew up. We took two bags of apples and carefully packed them into our various suitcases.  We have made apple walnut pancakes, apple pie filling and our new favorite apple kuchen. 

Visiting York Maine

Beautiful Deli Display

York,  Maine is a beautiful coastal New England town.  If you are there you should visit Stonewall Kitchen.  A large variety of jams, jellies, sauces and marinades are available to buy and sample.  We loved the Maine Blueberry Jam and Chocolate Banana Jam. 

Jam aisle

It would be fun to design your kitchen like this one.  Glossy subway tiles, paneled ceiling, stainless steel, white wooden shelving and schoolhouse lighting.

My daughter was disapointed when I told her I had not posted anything to my blog in quite a long time.  So, this is due to her encouragement.  I toured some model homes early this year and this was one of my favorite kitchens.  I apologize for the photo quality they were taken with a camera phone.

Love the tile backsplash

Great paint color on this island

Glass fronts and accent lighting make a statement

How to accessorize your shelves

HGTV Emily Henderson

I am often asked by friends what should I do with my bookcases?  Here is a beautiful example of perfect styling.  The books are similar in color and there is variation in height and shape.  Also, the space is simple and not overcrowded.  My preference is to take off the dust jackets of the book.