JOYOUSLY LIVING LIFE

Do You Think I'm A Little Late?. . .

2011-12-30T16:50:00.006-05:00

I just put the tree up!
Got The flocked tree I have always wanted. It is slim so it will fit nicely in the livingroom. The little tree we had this year will go in the entrance way at the top of the steps next year.
Found some beautiful glass ornaments at KMart. If you are interested in silvery gray ones, yes gray glass ornaments rush over to KMart now. They were stunning but do not match my house so I got the wine colored ones.

Finally got it put together and the lights lit so it will stay up for a few days. See all the snow on the floor. Better get busy cleaning up.
A few pictures of what I have been doing this month.

This is a little of what I have been doing for the last month. What a armful of JOY! Remember I said that the kittens will be staying outside. Well that didn't last long.

I named them after my favorite candy Licorice and Caramel.

Wrapping gifts.

Citrus Marmalade.

I got the recipe from Kathy at A Delightsome Life. I used Kamquats and oranges from our trip to Florida earlier in the month.

Baked my favorite cookies Russian Tea Balls.

Baked cut out Sand Tarts from a recipe I have been using for many years. Cute cutters, don't you agree? The one in the front was my Grand Mothers.

Got a great new cookie sheet. It is very heavy and does not bend in the oven heat. It has a big lip all the way around to keep it strong and I forgot to put the pic of the wrapper in the post. Does anyone know how to add a photo and work it into the post just where you want it, after the fact? I cannot move my pictures around once they are downloaded to the post. Is this normal?

I can't Click and Drag in my blog posts. Used to be able to but no more. If you know how Please let me know.

I store my cutters in this basket on the dining room floor. They are just to pretty to store away.

More kitten photos. These two have been so much fun and a comfort as I lost my Beloved Black cat Spirit in November. He was my best fur friend for over 11 years and it was so difficult to let him go.

Look at that smile! Yes I do believe it is a smile.

A last little photo of Licorice who will not be outdone by his sister Caramel.

Wishing You An Amazing 2012!

~ ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~ ~
Linking up to these wonderful ladies.

Foodie Friday

My Romantic Home

Christmas Home Tour 2011

2011-12-18T20:55:00.007-05:00

~ ~ ~and singing I have been doing my friends. I do love this time of year and decorating my home for the holidays. I have Christmas Caroles playing all day. I just love using Pandora.
I covered these letters from Michael's with Mod Podge, hymnal pages and hung them over the archway between the dining room and living room. How do you like them?

This is my small china cabniet in the entranceway landing.

I just love a cozy home when it's cold outside.

The top of the tree.
Gotta love glitter and stars!

~ ~ ~and more stars.

It is just a tiny 4 foot tree but I love the sparkle and shine.

Do you remember Department 56? These angels are about 30 years old and I still love them and put them out every year. They were a gift from my Mother.

The tree sits on a tiny antique table in a corner of the living room.

The picture beside the china is one of my favorites. A boy and girl sitting on a swing. She has her hands in a fur muff. Wouldn't that be fun instead of gloves?

I think I used 6 garlands for the archway doubling them up for a lush look. Then I poked extra stems of greens in here and there too.
Behind the curtins are the French doors to the sunroom.

I have linked up to these Christmas Parties:

I'll Be Home For Christmas Party

Between Naps On The Porch

Thanks for stopping by for a visit. I wish that all your Dreams come true this holiday season.

May you have Peace, Joy and Abundance of Happiness.

Love to all of you,

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

The Last Peaches and Flowers of Summer

2011-09-15T19:03:00.009-04:00

Don't you just love peaches?

These are a variety called Loring and are asking to be a pie.
I had a few sweet cherries in a bowl so I added them to the mix.

Everything in the shell and the butter at the ready to dot on the top.

Like I said before, my pies look very homemade but that doesn't stop me from making them.

I cut a few leaves from the scraps to decorate the top. In honor of the falling leaves that will soon litter the ground here. Already the trees are beginning to turn yellow and orange. Seems a little early, doesn't it?

Be sure to bake your pies on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper. They sure do make a mess.

Why is it that everytime I begin a project around here help finds it's way to me. Do you see the ears? That's my helper. Actually he eats my flower arrangements so I have to be careful what I bring into the house.

This sweet little pitcher is a recent flea market find. The flowers are a fall blooming clematis that is just full of flowers this year. Tiny little white ones and I added a few red geraniums. Red and white makes my heart sing. How about you? What colors do it for you?

The new kittens have been named~ ~ ~Caramel and Licorice. Can you guess which is which? Licorice says, I really really love my sister but this flower pot is getting smaller and smaller. I don't think we can do this for much longer. Can you believe I found both of them in this 8" round pot. Must be like being in the womb.

Caramel needed a good stretch after her nap.

Caramel and Licorice are my two favorite candies and these little guys are so sweet!

The winner of the Girard's Salad Dressing Giveaway is Mary from Very Merry Vintage Style. Mary Hosts the blog party called Share The Love every Wednesday. If you haven't been to visit her yet you may want to take a minute and see all the wonderful links this week.
Please stop by and visit these wonderful blog parties too.

Show and Tell - My Romantic Home

Foodie Friday - Designs By Gollum

Thrifty Things Friday - Thrifty Groove

Vintage Inspiration Friday - Debras Vintage Designs

Thanks to all of you for stopping by. I love it when you leave a comment, you make my day. Make it a wonderful weekend.

~ ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~ ~

Pie Dough and Opera?

2011-09-01T11:28:00.008-04:00

Hello Friends~ ~ ~I think the two go perfectly together. I love making pie dough, how about you? I put on some opera music and get out my canister of flour. It's therapeutic for me rubbing all that butter into a humble bowl of flour and ending up with light, flaky pie dough.

If you haven't used Pandora you may want to check it out. All the music you like, that's it, period! I love them. I searched for opera and was given a few choices. I chose romantic opera and boom they play one after the other. Try it you'll love it!

Ok, so you are set with your flour and your music. I use Martha's recipe for Pate Brisee for my pies and I think it's the best. The shortening makes the crust flaky and the butter gives it flavor.

~ ~Pate Brisee~ ~

5 cups flour

2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. sugar

1 cup crisco shortening

2 sticks butter, chilled and cut into small pieces

3/4-1 cup ice water

Put dry ingredients in a big bowl and stir to blend. Add the shortening and pieces of butter and rub the shortening and butter into the flour with your finger tips till it looks like the picture below. . .but Don't stop here. . .

Keep rubbing till it looks like the next picture. Smaller, finer pieces. Imagine the music playing and the feel of the butter between your fingers. Don't you feel the stress leaving your body already?

Now add the ice water maybe half of it and continue rubbing and mixing. Add more water as needed. Yesterday I used the whole 1 cup of water but that depends on the flour and the weather. Be sure to get all the dry flour from the bottom of the bowl mixed in. Dump the mix onto your counter and form it into a rough ball, then a big log like this.

Don't get all nuts about mixing it together perfectly. A little ragged is OK. See? This recipe makes 2 double crust pies. Cut your log into 4 equal pieces and flatted them into a big disk. The bigger the easier it is to roll the dough. Wrap each piece into it's own piece of plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.

Sorry but no pictures of the rolling procedure. it's difficult to take pictures when your hands are so messy.

Here is my finished pie. It's a Pennsylvania Dutch Corn Pie for last nights main course and it was delish. I made 2 of them. My pies always look so homemade because I'm not to good at making a pretty edge and for this that's OK. Sometimes I cut out little leaves of dough for the edge to make it look nice.

Look at that flaky crust. You can do it too.

We serve our Corn Pie with a thick white sauce over it. My Mom always just heated milk with butter for her sauce.

My corn pie recipe was posted some time ago and the link for it is here if you want to try it.

Be sure to check out my current GIVEAWAY. I think you will like it.

I just had to show you the two newest members of the family. Looks like Ying and Yang doesn't it? The orange one is female and the dark one is male. No names yet, any ideas?

Their Momma showed up here a few months ago with her brother. I guess someone dropped them off. Turns out she was pregnant and these two little ones are the result. We are thrilled and will be keeping all 4. How can you not love these bundles of fluff?

I am linking to these wonderful gals this week:

Foodie Friday

Share The Love Wednesday

Whats On The Menu Wednesday

Show and Tell Friday

House in the Roses

Make It A Wonderful Day

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

A GIVEAWAY and a Roadside Stand Dinner

2011-08-25T10:02:00.008-04:00

Have you ever made what I call a Roadside Stand Dinner? No meat just vegetables from my local Roadside Stand. I have been doing that a lot this summer. Right now there are so many wonderful tomatoes to choose from.

I am so proud to announce that the fine folks at Girard's Salad Dressings have asked me to be one of their Epicurean Experts. I love to cook and have been doing so since I could stand on a chair at the kitchen counter. I am honored and want to share with you all the goodies they sent me in preparation for more and more great meals and recipes from my kitchen.

Look at this load of goodies. I was so thrilled. The apron and the bamboo utensils are awesome.

There were a few new recipe cards included too.

The best were the 4 bottles of Girard's new dressings for me to try. The wonderful folks at Girard's have generously agreed to give away a set of their 4 new dressings to one of my readers! I am so happy to be able to share with you their tasty dressings.

Would you like to win?

The winner will get 4 of Girard's new salad dressings.

All you have to do to enter the drawing is to Follow My Blog and leave a comment and tell me. If you are already a follower just let me know in your comment.

This is a recipe that we love and it's loaded with lots of fresh juicy tomatoes. No set measure for this one just add a little or a lot of what you like.

TOMATO AND BREAD SALAD

Use any kind of crusty bread that you like and cube it into about 3/4 inch chunks. Toss it in a big bowl, I used my huge yellowware bowl, with olive oil that has a few cloves of garlic minced into it. I used about 1/2 cup of olive oil and 6 garlic cloves. I had lots of bread! I toss it with my hands then spread it on a cookie sheet and toast it in the oven. Be sure to stir the cubes often till browned all over. I use my broiler.

While my bread is browning I chop a few tomatoes into the same big bowl I used to mix the bread and olive oil. Then I slice some onion on top. I like to use vadalia and red onion.

Add Basil to your taste. I used 3 different varieties.

I adore this bowl. I have had it so long I can't remember where I got it.

Then toss it all together.
You can also add grated cheese if you like.

I tossed mine with Girard's Olde Venice Italian Dressing.

It was amazing!

Looks wonderful doesn't it?

So yummy and good for you.

We had a friend stop over unexpectedly around dinner time so we asked him to join us. He couldn't get over raving about this simple salad. "Best he has ever had" He said.

For many years I made my own salad dressings but with a dressing the quality of Girard's at hand no need to mix it up myself anymore.

Each of these varieties has less sodium than before and the White Balsamic Vinaigrette and the Greek Feta Vinaigrette varieties contain no high fructose corn syrup if that is important to you.

I am linking to:

FOODIE FRIDAY at Designs By Gollum

REDSDAY at Sue Loves Cherries

SHARE THE LOVE WEDNESDAY

WHAT'S ON THE MENU WEDNESDAY

Good Luck to all of you who enter the GIVEAWAY!

Chat with you again soon.

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Feeling Sentimental

2011-06-22T12:00:00.009-04:00

~ ~~Hello Friends~ ~ ~

Picked a few white grape leaf hydrangea this morning

and put them in this ruby vase.

So pretty! Love red and white.

Wanting to share with you a few pieces of cut glass

that belonged to my Great Grandmother.

I put a few things out on the dining room table

for you to see.
I recently hung the glittery Paris sign

on the chandy.

Sort of like it there, for now.

The stems are from the local Goodwill but they are so

thin and delicate and old. I just love them.

Sad that there were only three.

The four desert plates are my new love

green transferware. The pattern is Lyndon.

I'm having a little trouble finding pieces to match.

If you see any around in your travels

Please let me know!

Is lace a sickness? Gotta have it.

This little cut glass compote was my GG Mothers.
I love the feel of the cut glass,
the roughness of the edges.
Do you love cut glass too?

This small dish was hers too.
The light just sparkles through it.

I am finding it difficult to get good pictures of this
glass. Does anyone have any hints to share?

Ahhh, the spoons!

They are so pretty and they belonged to my
Fathers Mother.
The other pieces were my Mom's family.
I only have 6 spoons and that was
probably all the silver she had.
Given to me by my Aunt Mary.

She was a poor woman who immigrated from the Ukraine with her 3 children. I never knew her as she died before I was born. I often think of her and the strength she must have had to come across the ocean on a ship with 3 children early in the 1900's. I don't know the whole story and never will as all concerned are now gone.

These little lovelies were a recent purchase.
French Milk Glass.

The French Painted their milk glass.
I love the fleur de leis on this one.

Most times almost all the paint is rubbed off.

These are nice examples.

Still some paint left.

As I snapped this shot I thought. . .

I wonder if I could capture the smoke from the candle

if I blew it out?

Have a wonderful week My Friends.

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

This week I am linking to these fine ladies:

Tabletop Tuesday

2nd. Time Around Tuesday

Show Off Your Cottage Monday

Share The Love Wednesday

Redsday

Centerpiece Wednesday

My Romantic Home

Vintage Inspiration Friday

Thrifty Things Friday

Favorite Things

My Favorite Local Faire

2011-05-10T09:29:00.010-04:00

Hello Friends~ ~ ~
Quaint and beautiful little house. Actually it is an 1800's tavern. It is a part of the Landis Valley Museum. If you ever get to Lancaster County, PA. be sure to visit the museum. What it is is a small village built in the 1800's by John Landis and his family. These two pictures are of the tavern.

This building is just behind the tavern. Beautiful stonework. The Pennsylvania Germans are an industrious bunch, of which I am a descendant.

Every Spring they host an Herb Faire during Mothers Day Weekend. It is my favorite faire to visit. For many years it was the only place locally to purchase heirloom vegetable plants. They really do taste better than the newer varieties. Try them if you haven't.

This Celsiana rose is one of the oldest varieties known. I was told it's first recorded appearance was in the 1500's. Three years ago I purchased this rose and it is now four feet tall with some canes growing to 8 feet and into it's neighbor a Crepe Myrtle. The fragrance is amazing.

The vendor selling these old roses is dependably at the faire every year as so many others are.

This is so much fun. It is the kitchen in the tavern. All day they demonstrate cooking.

How would you like to cook in this kitchen?

Making Bread.

How about this state of the art 1800 toaster?

I didn't notice the electric cord till I got home and looked at the pictures.

The fire for the oven is out back.

Honey, would you run outside and put another log in the fire

so I can bake the bread.

The homes in this village are beautiful.

Notice the man making and selling brooms by the fence.

Most of the homes are opened for viewing.

The building above is the General Store. It is stocked with antiques of the era.
Each home has a knowledgeable host inside to tell you the story of the home.

These next few shots are of the home of John and Elizabeth Landis founders of the village. The brick beauty above is the Landis home.

Lovely fireplace in the parlor.

The kitchen, love the colors.

One side of the home is a combo of brick and stone.

Looking down the street toward the faire.

Beautiful old shutters.

We had so much fun and I did purchase the Graham Thomas rose that I was searching for. What joy!

Hope you enjoyed the tour.

I am linking to these fun parties this week:

Foodie Friday

Vintage Thingie Thursday

Show off Your Cottage Monday

Share The Love Wednesday

Time Travel Thursday

Vintage Inspiration Friday

A Few of my Favorite Things

A Return To Loveliness

See you again soon.

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Can You Solve This Riddle?

2011-05-02T12:46:00.005-04:00

When is a rose not a Rose but

A Gourmet Delight?

Give up?

When It is A Julia Child.
That is the name of this delicious little rose.

Of course with my love of food and cooking

I had to buy it!

I went to the local greenhouse to purchase a Graham Thomas Rose. After seeing all the beautiful pictures in Blogland I was smitten. Alas, no Graham Thomas. GT is also a yellow rose and yellow roses are my favorites. Then I spied this beauty and when I saw the name, well, you know how it is.

This picture is the metamorphosis, the fresh young bud and the tattered old flower.

This is what the tag on the rose had to say about her.

All roses are female ~ ~ Right?

Butter Gold - Floribunda 2006

Just before our wonderful American icon left us, she selected this exceptional rose to bear her name. Julia loved the even butter color and the licorice candy fragrance. Yet it wasn't just the old-fashioned blooms that inspired the recipe. The perfectly rounded habit, super glossy leaves and great disease resistance finished off the dish. An awesome AARS award winner-a right and proper honor for a dear friend.

Isn't that lovely?

I adore roses that show their centers. Many of the tea roses do not when they open. I love the contrast between the silken petals and the wirey stamens in the center.

The rose is only about 4" across but I love the shabby ruffled look of it.

How about you. Do you prefer a perfect rose to a shabby one?

Since we are talking roses, here is a hint for you when cutting a rose or trimming your rose bushes. When you cut a stem look to see which side of the stem the next 5 leaf, not 3 leaf stem is. Always make a cut just above a 5 leaf stem. Now, since the new branch will form opposite the 5 leaf stem, will it be growing in the direction you would like to see it grow. If you want it to grow inward to fill out the bush, great. Maybe you want it to grow outward to even out and fill out that side of the bush. Not rocket science but a good tip.

Hope you enjoy this flavor of Lancaster County.

One of our many covered bridges.

I am linking up to these partys this week.

Please visit them for more great posts.

Metamorphosis Monday

Show Off Your Cottage Monday

Share The Love Wednesday

Have a Delightful week!

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Recycled Water Hose Wreath

2011-04-14T10:59:00.011-04:00

Hello Friends~ ~ ~ Last week I posted a picture of a water hose wreath I made for my garage door. My neighbor saw it and went crazy and asked me to make one for her. This is the wreath I made for her and pictures of the steps as I was in construction mode. I know many of you are really great at arranging flowers and making wreaths but for those of you who could use a little help here you go.

First of all I would like to introduce my assistant Mr. Handsome. He is always around when there is a craft project in the works. It would go faster without his help but I just love his sweet face so much. . .what can I say?

I didn't have the color flowers I wanted on hand so I needed to make a trip to the Dollar Tree. They have the best buys around for silk flowers. Above is what I bought and I didn't use all of them. I got $6.00 worth! The ribbon was from last weeks wreath.

First step: Wrap your hose into a big circle the size you desire. I like the end to show so I work it to the top right of the wreath and wire it together at the top. Leave enough wire to form a loop for hanging. Cut the remaining hose off with a sharp knife.

This is two bunches of flowers that I bent so that they would curve around the hose. Don't cut them apart just tuck each end into the flowers of the other.

I wanted these purple stems on the bottom peaking out at the ends. I used one bunch and bent 3 stems to the left and 3 to the right.

Place the hydrangea on top and use a few purple stems cut from the second bunch on top and wire the whole thing together.

I like to wire all the flowers together and then attach them to the hose or wreath. Later in the season if the flowers get shabby and I want to change them I can just cut the wire, remove them and add another bunch. Simple and I often do this.

The ribbon. Of course you can use any ribbon you like and wired is probably the nicest looking but I just wanted a floppy casual looking bow. The green ribbon is for the bottom of the bow and the lavender will be the top. Cut a piece about 12" long from the top ribbon.

Form it into a loop for the center of the bow. Run a piece of wire about 10" long through to the center of the wire and twist a couple of times. Leave long ends of the wire to attach this center piece to the rest of the bow.

Take the rest of the top ribbon and just loop it back and forth till you have a little bow of sorts.

Place your center on top and pinch the center of the bow together while twisting the wires tight. Leave the ends to attach the bottom part of the bow.

I just looped the bottom ribbon back and forth till I had the size to fit my bunch of flowers. Then layered the top bow on and wired the whole thing together. It's best to pull your wires as tight as you can so that the ribbon stays and the more it's pinched in the center the better it looks.

OK friends, here is where your design style comes into play. Check out the wreath above and below. Compare them and you will notice that the top wreath needed a little adjustment. See how the flowers all just stick out left and right. Style it up a bit by bending the stems and bending just the flower ends so that they face the front.

See how I bent some of the hydrangea closer to the bow and faced them forward. Much nicer. Don't be afraid to bend them around. If it is too full for your taste you can even cut a few flowers out. If you check out my last post this wreath is much fuller than the last one. Make it to suit your taste. Hope my neighbor likes it. I'm off to deliver it to her.

This week I'm linking to:

Share The Love Wednesday at Very Merry Vintage Style.

Sweet Mary featured last weeks wreath on her blog and I was thrilled.

The Shabby Chic Cottage; Transformation Thursday

Romantic Home; Show and Tell

A Few Of My Favorite Things with Laurie

Metamorphosis Monday with Susan

Spring Party at Decor To Adore~ Laura

Beth at Tips and Tutorials Tuesday

I appreciate each of you.

Thanks for stopping by,

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Spring Brings New Life

2011-04-06T09:47:00.009-04:00

And Me back to the blog.

Sorry to have deserted you.

I am back and looking forward to new passions in my life.

How about you?

Do you like my new wreath?

Does it look familiar?

Look closely~ ~Then grab an old garden hose

and make one yourself.

This one is hanging on the garage door.

Isn't this a great old basket?

It's very old and belonged to a friend of mine.

I hope you will leave a comment and

stop back soon to share in the new Springtime events.

It's good to be back. Even though I was not

posting I was visiting all of you to

keep up with your blogs.

I'm linking with Transformation Thursday at

The Shabby Chic Cottage

Show and Tell Friday at

My Romantic Home

Favorite Things at

Bargain Hunting with Laurie

Show Off Your Cottage

Share The Love Wednesday

Met. Monday @ Between Naps On The Porch

Happy Spring!

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Over The Moon~ ~ About A Dish

2010-12-13T09:46:00.004-05:00

Greetings Friends~ ~ ~

You are the only ones I can share this with. I know that you will understand because you have probably been there. I opened the box and my heart skipped a beat when I saw this.
Have you ever purchased from www.csn.com ? A few days ago I saw this covered casserole on their site and I had to have it.

Last night I baked my corn casserole in it and it was delish. Having an attractive lid is a real plus. I can keep it warm at the table and not have to deal with foil.

I adore this dish because it's not white but a creamy white shade with brown antiquing around the bow on top. So sweet.

The casserole didn't last long. I like this as a side dish or a light meal with a salad and bread as we had it last night. It's simple to make and while it's baking you can whip a salad together.

This sweet bow of a handle just makes the dish perfect.

Go to www.csn.com and search for Pamela Gladding Ivory

round baker with lid. It's on sale right now!

Cheesy Corn Spoon Bread

4 oz. Butter

8 oz. cream cheese

Microwave in bowl to melt slightly 1 minute

Add remaining ingredents and mix well

1- 15oz. can corn drained

1-15 oz. can Creamed Corn

3 eggs

1 med. onion, minced

6-8 oz. pepperjack cheese grated or chopped small
12 oz. Pepperage Farms corn bread stuffing

1/4 C chopped parsley

Pour into well buttered casserole

Bake 375* ABOUT 45 MIN.

till center is firm

Serve in this lovely dish.

I also purchased these sweet little ramekins.

I can see my creme brulee in these.

These are from www.csn.com also.

Bon Jour Stoneware 4 piece set in chocolate.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit.

I've been having 'puter problems so I was not able to post.

Thanks for hanging in there.

Love to all of you

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Yummy Pumpkin Pie From Scratch

2010-11-22T19:19:00.011-05:00

Have you ever made a pumpkin pie from scratch?

I recommend Martha's recipe.

The only change I make is using

4 cups of fresh pumpkin

instead of 3 cups.

I just process the pumpkin then add

everything else slowly to the processor.

Pour into shells, bake.

It looks involved but really if your just looking

at the custard part its so simple and

My Oh My, is it delicious!

Print it out and read it through, you will see.

I have been experimenting with different pumpkin's.

These 3 are from my neighbor George.

He is my source for all things that grow.

The 2 on the left are the two I have already

made pies with and I recommend both types.

The white one will made a pie, maybe next week.

We have been eating lots of pumpkin pies and

everyone is lovin' it!

I just cut them in half, scoop

out the seeds, put on cookie sheets

and bake at 350* till fork tender.
Time depends on the size.

I think a pumpkin is just the prettiest color.

I saved seed for next year just in case I

feel the need to grow a few myself.

This is the Cinderella Pumpkin.

Here are the resulting pies.

Instead of a rolled crust I love to use

Stauffer's Ginger Snaps for the crust.

Be warned, the taste is Divine but,

the crust may be soggy the next

day so you will have to eat it all the day it's baked.

I crush them in the food processor

mix with melted butter and sugar

and press into the dish.
Bake 10 minutes then cool before filling.

Stauffer's is a local bakery and I love their cookies.

They are widely available in these parts.

These Ginger Snaps have a real Zing!

They sort of bite your tongue back.

You can also have them shipped from their website.

Yesterday I took a walk around the yard and clipped greens for a centerpiece. Poked in a few artificial mums, some dried leaves. . .done.

Another project.
I love this simple polish.
It's a can full of wadding with the polish already applied.

A woman's work is not done yet. . .This is what awaits me tonight while I watch Dancing with the Stars.

I am linking this week to Marty @ Table Top Tuesday

Michael Lee West for Foodie Friday

Wishing you all a Blessed Thanksgiving.
I am Thankful for each one of you.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

My Cozy Corner~ ~

2010-11-01T12:01:00.012-04:00

~ ~ ~Of The Sofa.

This is the place where I make my nest.

In this cozy corner I can spend

hours and hours

reading or knitting~ ~or just dreaming.

My angel watching over me.

I don't like the term Mom Cave because

this spot is to pretty to be a cave.

It's soft and warm and cozy.

Lit by an antique lamp that I love.

The lace curtains and a bit of lace over the

lamp shade create a soft glow at night.

Also on the shade are antique lace collars,

old millinery flowers and a fleur de lay pin.

A string of twinkling lights across the window

add to the romantic mood of the room

Plump down pillows can be arranged for comfort.

Hidden behind the sofa is a table and the stereo

playing soft jazz or Celtic favorites.

I love how the morning light filters through

the lace and falls on my nest warming it

for the first cup of coffee for the day.

I pull out one of my knitting projects and

knit as I have my coffee.

Other projects are stored in the old brown

suitcases that create a table by the sofa.

I love having my favorite books all around me.

Stacked on the floor and tables.

Decorating magazines are a weakness of mine.

For all of you friends with kitty's

this is a great hint for you.

My kitty loved the bullion fringe on the

sofa almost to ruin till I discovered

Double Sided Tape.

See it here on the corner of the sofa?

I stick long strips where he likes to

work on the fabric and his little paws

stick to the tape and frustrates the

heck out of him and off he goes.

As you can see below I am not a trendy person.

I love opulence and deep rich colors and some

creams to lighten it up a bit. I like to feel like

the room is circling me with arms of warmth

and comfort and I want my guests to feel it too.

I love feminine curves everywhere.

As for what I would like to add to this room with my winnings, how about a warm throw. It looks like Home Goods has a few that I could use. When I'm sitting quietly its nice to snuggle under for warmth.
This cream colored chair would give me the extra seating I need when friends stop by.

Some pretty glass objects on my new coffee table would be so nice.

What coffee table you say. How about this ottoman and tray from Home Goods.
I have finally decided on this combo for a coffee table so I can also prop my feet
up for comfort.

I would love some pretty boxes to store my knitting odds and ends in.
A beautiful picture frame would be so pretty too.
I do believe that I can easily spend the winnings of this contest to
further feather my nest!

I want to thank Susan of Between Naps On The Porch

and Home Goods for sponsoring this contest.

Be sure to stop over at Susan's and see

everyone who is participating.

If you have not been to Home Goods

be sure to check them out.

My thanks to both of you.

I am also linking to Cindy at My Romantic Home for

Show And Tell Friday.

~AND~

Artie at Color Outside The Lines

Please visit these Sweet Friends

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Table Decisions

2010-10-20T11:17:00.005-04:00

Hello Friends~ ~ ~
I have a few issues I could use a little help with and if your like me you just love to share your opinion so here is your chance. I'm asking your thoughts on decisions I will be making soon.
Console tables and coffee tables yikes, there are so many pretty tables on the market. How about the one above? Its metal and I think it would look great in my living room or I could even use it in the dining room as a server. Do you like it or do you like wood tables better?

Here is one with metal and wood.

I adore this one and if I had room in the bedroom that's where I would put it. I love the traditional style of the legs turned in lucite! So cool.

This one is a stunner too in golden finished wood with a glass top. So elegant looking to me. I'm not asking you to consider placement in my home just which tables do you prefer and why?

Now, here is another issue I am considering.

Coffee table or Ottoman?

Do you prefer a table or ottoman with a tray on top?

Right now I have no coffee table and I really need to do something about that.

I love the button tufting on this one.

Button tufting and french curved legs!

I love this one. OK here is another consideration, rectangular or square. How do you decide?

Are there any rules to follow in the selection?

Then while I was at CSN shopping for tables I found this china cabinet. Beautiful. CSN has so many beautiful furniture pieces I could browse all day. You may want to hop over and check them out. Their prices are great too.

I appreciate your opinion so thanks for your comments.

It means a lot to me that you take the time to visit.

Make it a Great day.

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Quick and Delish Fall Dinner

2010-10-08T10:00:00.005-04:00

Hello Friends~ ~ ~

Pasta for dinner. We love pasta, how about you?

This is one of Rachel Rae's recipes. She calls it Cabbage and Straw.

Click over to print the recipe.

I know, it doesn't sound like a winner but

I have made this recipe many times

and we love it. So please give it a try.

A pot full of Cabbage and straw.

Can you believe a pasta recipe with potatoes in it?

Also, she suggests Savoy Cabbage but I have

used our local cabbage and love it even more.

A nice plate of pasta with a beautiful light

glass of Woodbridge Riesling.

I'm finally getting into the feeling of Fall

and replacing my summer decor with

Fall leaves and pumpkins.

So heres to Fall~ ~ ~now that the temps

are to be in the 90's this weekend!

This sweet pumpkin has come out every year

to celebrate the fall season for many years.

I am joining Michael Lee at Designs By Gollum for

Foodie Friday.

Click over and see whos making what today.

I'm also linking to Cindy at My Romantic Home

for Show and Tell Friday.

Thanks gals!

Wishing all of you a Happy Fall Weekend!

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Diningroom Vignettes

2010-09-17T11:24:00.006-04:00

~ ~ Hello Friends~ ~

Thanks for stopping in today.

I'm sharing a few little vignettes from the diningroom.

The first one is on the buffet.

I love to decorate the top of the china cabinet with

my antique piano shawl. I drape it over the corner to soften it.

The colors don't match anything in my house
but I adore it so it's staying.

I have had it for so long I don't

remember where I got it.

A few sweet stacks of dishes on lace trimmed shelves.

Shells I picked up on the beach in Delaware.

This is an odd grouping.
The delicate fine china salt and pepper
with a few jars of my canned red beets.
The beets were so pretty I didn't
want to hide them in a cabinet
so I put them on display.

A crystal bowl filled with dried red rose petals
and pink sequined hearts!

Why hide the liquor bottles when they are so pretty?
I love to add unusual items to my vignettes,
don't you?

Another shot of the top of the china.
A good look at my french chicken border too.

Pretty keys on a red ribbon.

I'm joining in the fun this week with

Artie @ Color Outside The Lines

and

Cindy @ My Romantic Home

Thanks so much friends for hosting these party's.
To see lots of great ideas click the

links and visit everyone.

I get the greatest ideas when I

visit with all of you.

Have a wonderful weekend

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Red Poppys

2010-09-06T10:53:00.004-04:00

~ ~ ~Hello Friends~ ~ ~

I just love red poppys, how about you?

So bright and cheerful.

Found this big bunch at Good Will for less than $3!

Found a good read there too.

So I pulled out a shopping bag I have had around

for some time and made a big arrangement.

It looks so pretty on the chair in the diningroom.

So now what will I do with it?

I really need the chair so it can't stay there.

How about here?

This looks pretty doesn't it?

Thanks for stopping by and for

sharing my thought process.

I'm linking to two of my Blog Friends:

Show Off Your Cottage

and

Between Naps On The Porch

Be sure to shop by for a visit and see

all the great ideas shared every week.

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Cool, Crisp, Creamy and Refreshing

2010-08-19T11:51:00.005-04:00

Hello Friends~ ~ ~

It seems to be a love or hate thing~ ~cucumbers.

Do you love or hate them?

It's 2 to 1 in our home.

The lovers Win!

I am making a big batch today so I will have some to share

with my neighbor who gave me the cucumbers.

So the Cuisinart came out to play.

I peel mine and cut the ends off.

Then into the Cuisinart to slice

with a 2mm blade.

I cut each one in half so they

fit into the feed tube.

Here they go and Oh don't forget to slice an onion too.

So pretty!

Soak them in cold salted water for about 45 min.
Drain well, I squeeze the water out of them
and pat with paper towels.

How for the recipe for my dressing.

Creamy Cucumber Salad

A few spoons of Hellmann's Mayo

(according to how many cukes you use)

a good quality vinegar to taste

cream to thin the sauce

sugar

salt and black pepper
Mix all with a whip.

Toss the cukes and the onions with

the dressing.

ENJOY!

I love this for breakfast on a hot summers day.

Thanks for joining me today.

I'm linking with Michael Lee for

FOODIE FRIDAY

Stop over and see whats going on.

Plenty of good recipes to try.

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Just A Quick Question??

2010-08-16T16:08:00.004-04:00

Would you or would you not want this beauty in your home?

I came across this lovely and am considering having it fixed up

and installed in the sun room just off the kitchen. Its a wood

burning stove and I am familiar with them as my Dear Aunt

Mary heated her old stone home with a similar but newer model.

Have you ever baked in a stove like this?

I wonder if I could bake a golden brown pie

in this oven?

Imagine 6 burners. I have only ever had 4.
There would be a hot tea pot of water at

the ready all winter long.

This part with two doors sits high above the stove top.

I don't even know if its an oven or a warming spot.

Here is the top laying on its side.
The green and cream enamel is so pretty.
The doors are the length of this piece.

If I installed this stove in the sunroom it would
also act as a heater in that room in the winter.
In the summer I would probably be
decorated and used for pretty.

So ladies, what do you think?
I'm linking to Susan for
Met Monday
because it would definitely be a Metamorphosis!

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Tin Can Vase?

2010-08-04T13:03:00.003-04:00

Hello Friends~ ~ ~

Summer to me, means more casual dinners.

Relaxed entertaining.

Here is a great idea for a centerpiece.

Save a few of your tin cans and soak the labels off.

As a liner for each can I used a small bottle
or a plactic cup to put the water in.
I didn't want the cans to rust for this purpose.
Even though I do love the rusty look if you do
then skip the liners.
You could even set them outside in the rain
for a few weeks.

Fill with your favorite flowers from the garden.
Sometimes I even stop along the road for the pretties.

The Rose Of Sharon and yellow daisys

are from my garden.

The napkins are dish cloths,

good heavy cotton cloths.

I adore using side dishes that are unique,

I have two different patterns and both

of them are leaves.

Nature girl that I am.

This night we were having cucumber salad

as a side. Perfect for the white leaf dish.

A small touch of vintage lace on every table

is so pretty to me.

Votives and candles from

The Dollar Store.

Do you shop there for your tablescapes?

Lots of great buys.

Tablecloth is so old I don't remember where I got it.

Thanks for stopping by I appreciate it that

you took the time.

Its always nice to see your comments.

I'm linking to Susan at Between Naps On The Porch

for Tablescape Thursday.

Hop over and see all the pretty tables.

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

A Sunshine Yellow Ribbon

2010-08-01T18:57:00.004-04:00

Hello Friends~ ~ ~

I have been collecting white flowers for some time now

and finally had enough to make a front door wreath.

First I went to the garage to get this.

The plan was to make the mess on the picnic table

and keep it outside.

Then I got all this out.

I started with the beige flowers but decided

I wanted white. . .all white.

I have a really dark front door.

White shows up great.

I hot glued moss to a 25 cent wreath I got

at a yardsale.

Then I just put glue on the ends of the stems

and stick them into the wreath.

All of these flowers were purchased at the Dollar Store.

So was the ivy and the moss.

The ribbon was $1 for 3 yards at AC Moore.

The whole wreath might have cost me $10!

I make my bows a little differently.

Sorry no pictures, its kind of hard to take pictures and

make the bow at the same time.

I cut about 12-14" of ribbon and double it up.

About 2" from the folded end twist a 12" wire

around the doubled ribbon and puff it up.

This is your center.

Let the tails fall down and trim them at an angle

when you wire the bow to the wreath.

Then I fold the rest of the 3 yards back and forth

to make the rest of the bow.

Take your center with the wire and wire this into

the center of the bow and twist the back.

Now you have a bow with a wire to wire to your wreath.

Hope you enjoyed this little tutorial.

This week I'm linking up with Susan for Metamorphosis Monday at

BetweenNapsOnThePorch

Thanks for stopping by.

I'm so glad you took the time.

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

GARNETS OF SUMMER

2010-07-23T13:06:00.006-04:00

There is something so pleasing about jars and jars of pickled red beets.

They glisten and glow that deep shade of red that I love.

Some of you have asked for my recipe so I'll include it here.

People who have had my red beets for the first time just love them.

I think it's because of all the spices I add to each jar.

Did you notice the sweet little label on the jar?

It was created by Kristen at Paper Crave.com

She has designed some lovely products.

Stop by for a visit.

Kristen did a guest post at Cottage-Industrialist.com

You can find the links for labels, recipe cards and invitations

to a Canning Party there. Print them off yourself.

Doesn't that sound like fun?

PICKLED RED BEETS

6 quarts of beets cooked, peeled and cut into wedges

(just eye ball the quantity)

Boil together in a pot and keep hot to fill jars~ ~

3 C. Sugar

7 C. Heinz Vinegar, it's the best

2 tsp. Salt

3-4 cups of water from cooking your beets

2 T. Pickling Spice

1 med onion sliced into rings

When sugar is melted add your beet wedges and cook till

hot through and through.

In each washed and HOT jar put ~ ~

1 Bay Leaf, 1 Clove and 3 peppercorns

Fill each jar with beets, then add the juice to cover

to 1/4" from top of jar. Put Hot lids on top and screw tight.

I keep my lids in a pot of boiling water and put them on

with a tongs and a dish cloth to tighten. I let mine sit on the

counter for at least 24 hours. Love the pings as they seal!

I have never had a jar not seal using this method but
you can process in a canner if you like.

Here is the Pennsylvania Dutch Country

we make Red Beet eggs.

They are a fine picnic food.

When you open a jar of Pickled Red Beets

pour them into a glass container and

add 6 whole hard boiled eggs to the beets.

Refrigerate overnight then enjoy your

lovely red eggs!

I'm linking to the party's at these fine blogs.

Please visit them for more party goers!

Michael Lee @

DesignsbyGollum.blogspot.com

Cindy @

MyRomanticHome.blogspot.com.

Thanks for stopping by and Now here are the winners

of the Girards Dressings Packages

Suzy @ Kitchen Bouquet

Linda @ A La Carte

gnee @ Singing With Birds

Nancy @ Nancy's Daily Dish

Kathy @ A Delightsome Life

Please email me your mailing address so that I

can forward it to the fine folks

at Girards and you will receive your

Gift Package shortly.

Congratulations! You are going to love these dressings.

~ ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~ ~

Whats For Dinner?. .. and A Giveaway!

2010-07-08T21:37:00.009-04:00

Hello Friends~ ~ ~

Do you love tomatoes? We do and all the roadside stands are

bursting with fruit and vegetables right now.

This plate was part of dinner. The meatless main course was

Corn On The Cob. For me it's not a side dish.

This lovely bowl of red beauties are my

heirloom tomatoes from last years garden.

Unfortunately this year we do not have a garden

but we do have the roadside stands.

More bounty from last years garden.

Thank goodness I did up all these pickled beets.

We have enjoyed them all winter and it's time to

begin again for the coming fall and winter.

Have you ever made

Tomato and Bread Salad?

We love it and here is how I make it.

First I heat a large fry pan with olive oil

and a few minced cloves of garlic. Add to this

about 3-4 cups of french bread cubes and toss

till golden brown.

Cube tomatoes in large chunks.

Slice a sweet onion into thin rings.

Add small mozzarella balls or grated cheese.

Fresh Basil leaves

Toss with your favorite oil and vinegar dressing.

Only make enough salad for your meal.

It does not keep well. Serve immediately.

I sometimes serve this on a bed of Fresh Basil

and mixed spring greens.

This was the main course for tonights dinner.

Fresh Sweet Corn.

~ ~ ~

Now we are getting to

The GIVEAWAY

The wonderful folks at Girards Dressings

contacted me and asked if I would like to try their dressings.

Of course I said YES.

Shame on me but I had never seen their

dressings in my local stores. Have you?

Well, this most lovely box of 4 dressings arrived tonight

just before dinner.

The packaging was beautiful and I was so excited

that I forgot to take pictures of it.

But here are 3 of the dressings.

~ ~ ~

Girards Signature Champagne Dressing

Peach Mimosa

Apple Poppyseed

As you can see I opened the Champagne dressing

and drizzled some over my corn on the cob.

Amazing~ ~ ~Try it yourself

When You Win One of Five Gift Sets

that I will be giving away!

That's Right 5 Giftsets!

Each containing 4 bottles of Dressing.

This is so generous of Girard's

Did I mention that they make 18 different dressings?

You have 3 chances to WIN!

For each chance you must leave a seperate comment.

1. Leave a comment and tell me if you have ever tried

Girard's Dressings.

2.Become a Follower of my blog.

Leave another comment and tell me so

or if you do follow me please tell me.

Thank you ahead of time.

It's so sweet of you to visit often.

3. Visit Girard's Blog and Sign Up for their Newsletter.

Check out their amazing recipes.

Click on a picture

which will take you to the recipe.

Scroll to the bottom of the page

to comment and sign up for the

newsletter and coupons.

As A Special Right Now Gift To All Of You

Girard's is giving away a limited amount of $2.00 off coupons

at this link. So grab yours now!

Did I mention that the Champagne Dressing drizzled over

Corn On The Cob was amazing?

I'm linking to Foodie Friday
and the amazing Michael Lee West
at Designs By Gollum

click over and check out all the
wonderful recipes there.
Thanks so much for stopping for a visit.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

French Provincial Dinner For Two

2010-06-30T14:42:00.009-04:00

Hello Friends~ ~ ~Sunflowers look so cheerful

and I love these French Provincial prints

so when I saw this fabric I couldn't resist.

I think I bought 2 yards then washed it in the machine

so it would fray around the edges.

TaDa, tablecloth!

I have lots of new things to share today.

I am so glad that you stopped by.

Guess? Do you know what this is?

I love the handles. They twine and twist like twigs.

A pretty old aluminum tray.

My Grand Mother had a few pieces of this

and as I kid I loved how it shined.

I picked up a set of sweet little French glasses.

And some new votive holders.
I'm all set for summer dinners.

How about you?

Did you have to get a few new things too?

I have been playing around with my camera

and taking pictures in the sun and

capturing pleasing shadows.

and sometimes not so pleasing.
Reflections of the flame.

A white glass flower pot to hold a Primrose.

A sweet lacy edge.

I love to use ivy on my tablescapes.

I don't put it in water I just lay

the sprigs around the table.

They keep fresh for quite some time.

It wouldn't be French Country without a rooster.

Why is that?

I love these salt and pepper shakers.

They are squatty and fat and

feel so good in your hand.

I am linking to a few of my friends.

Please click the links to visit their party's.

TableScape Thursday at~

Between Naps On The Porch

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Show Off Your Cottage at~

House In the Roses

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Favorite Things at~

The Hills Are Livin

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Show and Tell at~

My Romantic Home

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I appreciate the time you take out of your

day to visit and comment.

It means so much to me.

Please be sure to leave a comment so I can visit you!

~ ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~ ~

I Wish I Had A Horse. . .

2010-06-16T14:30:00.004-04:00

A Bright and Shiny Horse.

A Horse I could Call My Own. . .

Remember this chipmunk song?

You may be too young to remember.

My favorite song when I was a kid.

I thought if I sang it really long and hard

my horse would appear.

This is what I saw when I looked out my

window one morning this week.

Was I thrilled or what?!
This is the first time there were horses
in this pasture.

Look, he spotted me taking his picture.
Lovely big work horses in the pasture next door.
They belong to the Mennonite neighbor up the road.
I was one of those kids who always wanted a horse. Still haven't got one.
But, we are getting closer wouldn't you say?

If you could see the farmers son bring the horses
down the road to the pasture
you may not believe it.
I got a good laugh the first time I saw him.
Picture this.
Teenage boy on a bicycle riding down the road
with the horses bridle in his left hand and
the horse walking along beside the bike.

Now you tell me but if that horse really wanted
to head in a different direction I don't
think the young boy on the bike
would have a chance of stopping him.

This is what goes on around here this time of year.

Makin' hay.

Wagons full so back to the barn.

Hope you enjoyed my pictures from

Lancaster County.

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

The Scent Of Iris

2010-05-26T12:35:00.006-04:00

Hello Friends~ ~ ~

Do you enjoy the scent of Iris?

I love to fill my nose with it this time of year.

Let's share a glass of iced coffee as we walk in the garden.

This arrangement is in one of my favorite vases.

Iris and Pink Honeysuckle.

My Favorite Iris
"Warm Laughter"

Back to the garden.

I adore how my "Celsiana" rose has embraced

"Warm Laughter"

Love in the Garden.

Celsiana is a wonderfully scented old fashioned rose.

Shame it only blooms once a year.

I love how the yellow center peeks out.

Do you know what this is?

If you are squeemish about bugs
You may want to fast forward now.

They really are amazing and only 1/4"

long when they make their entrance

into the world from this cacoon.

Can you see all of the tiny Praying Mantis?

Just this week we have had 3 cacoons hatch.

We watch them all summer and truly

enjoy having them around the garden.

Do you have Praying Mantis

in your garden?

Let's end this post with pictures of my

lovely Pink Honeysuckle.

Can you see the little bird house hidden inside?

Here is a better shot.

We have a humming bird that loves the Honeysuckle.

Thanks for stopping by and

sharing a walk in my garden.

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

French Delight

2010-05-19T15:23:00.005-04:00

Greetings Friends~ ~ ~

Getting ready for a little baking. I'm so glad your here. You'll love this easy and sweet treat that makes 16 little mouth fulls of delight. I love to cook with Grand Marnier, the lovely liqueur made in France so when I devised this recipe it was the prefect mate for the cherries or berries, you choose.

I mixed up the strussel in the food processor.

It will be the crust and the topping.

Pat half into your 8X8 pan.

Top with your choice of jam mixed with Grand Marnier.

Top with the rest of the crumbs mixed with the nuts.

Ta Da! Simple and sweet.

Had to show off my newest vintage red rose hankie.
So Sweet.

If you try this recipe I hope you will love it.

Ahrisha's Sweet Crumbly Bars

http://joyouslylivinglife.blogspot.com

Prepare an 8X8 baking pan by lining the bottom

with parchment and let it hang over two ends

by about 2".

Butter bottom of parchment

Preheat oven to 375*

2 C. Flour

1/2 C. Sugar

Pulse in processor then add~ ~

1 stick + 6 T. Cold Butter, chopped

Pulse till like cornmeal.

Pat half this mixture into the 8X8 baking pan.

Add 3/4 C. chopped walnuts to remaining mixture.

Set aside.

1 C. Fruit Preserves, Your choice.

(I used Hero Black Cherry)

2-3 T. Grand Marnier

Mix and spread evenly on the crust.

Top with remaining strussel.

Bake for 60 - 70 minutes

till slightly browned on top

Cool in pan then loosen around edges and

lift out to cutting board.

Cut into 16 squares with pizza cutter.

Enjoy.

(In place of liqueur you could use a fruit juice)

Look what arrived in the mail today.

You know what I'll be doing tonight.

House Beautiful and a cup of coffee.
Heaven!

I am linking to Tablescape Thursday @ Susan's

and also to Foodie Friday @ Michael Lee's house.

Be sure to click the links and visit our lovely Hosts

for these weekly events.

Thanks to each of you for being there

and for your sweet comments.

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Sooo Much Fun and Antiques Too

2010-05-05T14:02:00.009-04:00

Greetings Friends~ ~ ~

When I realized that Yvonne of StoneGable and I lived nearby I did the neighborly thing, I invited her for lunch. I remembered her saying that she loved these napkin rings when I posted them so I used them on the vintage tablecloth I picked up at an antique shop for $3. You know how I love a bargain!

Isn't this cloth sweet? The doily is one that Mom tatted she does such nice hand work. Of course the sweet Kitty Cat is on the window sill beside the bird nest and the bowl of hickory nuts. If there is a party, he's there.

I set a table in the sunroom and layered the cloth over a lace one. I love layers. The pretty yellow box is for Yvonne. You will have to stop by her blog for a visit to see what was inside the box.

We started with a salad of Romaine lettuce topped with my home canned red beets, sliced red onion, sliced mushrooms and toasted walnuts. My Famous Blue Cheese dressing needs hearty greens and ingredients to stand up to it.

Ahrisha's Blue Cheese Dressing

1 C. Hellmans Mayo

2 T. chopped onion
2-3 T. Plum Vinegar

2 Lg. Garlic Cloves, minced

4 tsp. Dijon Mustard
2/3 C. Crumbled Blue Cheese

6 T. Whipping Cream

Whisk together first 5 ingredients
Then whisk in whipping cream

fold in Blue Cheese.

Keeps for a few days in the fridge.

We also had Crab and Shrimp Strata but I didn't get a decent picture.

Dessert was Grand Marnier Sabayon and Strawberrys.

I had a feeling about this luncheon and us girls just chatting away so I mixed the sabayon and the berry's ahead of time which was a good thing cause the chatter never stopped. We had so much to talk about we have decided to get together again soon.

If you make the sabayon, nap the berry's with the sauce just before you serve them.

I like to keep the berry's at room temp and the sabayon in the fridge. I dislike cold berry's.

GRAND MARNIER SABAYON

6 lg. egg yolks

1/3 C. Sugar

1/4 cup Grand Marnier

Wish in the top of a double boiler over simmering water

4-6 minutes till sauce just holds a ribbon when

you lift the spoon. Cool then chill.

Yvonne and I had such a great time. Were it not for blogging we would have never met.

She brought me this lovely cloche. It's the perfect size for a cupcake! You know how I love cupcakes. I had better get baking.

After lunch we left the house and did a little antiquing. I took Yvonne to one of my favorite shops and I found this! Yvonne called it the deal of the day for only $21.00.

I have been looking for a soup tureen that wouldn't cost me a fortune. What luck it's a real beauty, don't you think?
I don't think it's old but Oh so sweet.

Swan handles and nob on the lid.

The plate is so beautiful. I can't stand it!

Be still my heart!

Lest you think Yvonne got out of the shop unscathed, not.

Stop by and be sure to ask her what she purchased.

If you live nearby be sure to let us know

if you would want to get together. It would

be so much fun to have a group and

you would be welcome to join us.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

THE WINNER OF THE LACE TABLECLOTH IS

Paula @ Castle and Cottage

I'm so pleased that I can refer you to her lovely blog.

Also, Paula paints signs and has a Etsy Shop

so please take a look at her

Beautiful Signs.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I'm linking to 4 Blog party's this week.

Susan @ BetweenNapsOnThePorch

Cindy @ MyRomanticHome

Michael Lee @ DesignsByGollum

Jessica @ Favorite Things Friday

Follow the links to see who is joining the party this week.

I love blogging and all of you who visit

and those who take the time to comment.

We all have busy lives and I really do appreciate all of you.

Make it a Great weekend

~ ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~ ~

Lace Tablecloth Give-A-Way

2010-04-28T18:22:00.008-04:00

Hello Friends~ ~ ~

I love this shot of the scalloped edge of the table showing through the lace!

I was shopping today and got a great deal on this amazing tablecloth/shawl and of course I thought of all of you and how you might love it too so I bought a few. You really could wear this piece of lace, the hand is so lush.

It has a beautiful feather pattern and fringe!

This shot is with my flash so you can really see the detail.

I adore these china plates with the white poppys.

A flea market find at a steal for 6 plates for $15.00!

Can you believe it?

They look so pretty with the lace cloth.

Something about lace just makes me swoon.

How about you?

I promise to share with you about the script candles at a later time.

Would you like to win this lace cloth?

There are 3 ways to enter. Do 1, 2 or 3 but each time you must come back here and comment again. If you choose to enter all 3 ways you should have 3 comments.

For 1 entry; leave a comment.

For a second entry; join my list of Followers

or if you already Follow me please tell me.

For a third entry post about the give-a-way on your blog

then come back and tell me.

Oh my gosh, look at the drape on this cloth.

Good luck to all of you
Contest ends Midnight EST Wednesday May 5

I am linking to Susan for Tablescape Thursday at

Between Naps On The Porch

Stop by and visit her for links to other Tablescapes.

The WINNER will be announced next week

May 6 on Tablescape Thursday.

I am also linking to Michael Lee at

Foodie Friday

Food always tastes better when served

on a beautiful table and this cloth is

deserving of your finest meals.

Also linking to Cindy at My Romantic Home for

Show and Tell Friday.

Thanks gals for hosting the party's.

I love making the rounds and seeing

what's going on at all your blogs!

Thanks for stopping by.

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

A Tiskit A Tasket A Pink And White Basket

2010-04-22T10:19:00.006-04:00

Beautiful Flowered Plates

Crystal salt and pepper

Crystal wine glasses and napkins

Stirling Silver All In A Basket. Ready for a Spring Picnic.

The plate in the front is Limoges and I won it in a give-a-way at Rachelle's blog. I was so thrilled because I am beginning a collection of at least 12 pink flowered plates. These are the first two.

If you have an odd pink flowered plate just taking up space you know where to send it. My idea is to set a table with a different plate for each place and allow the guests to choose their favorite plate. Allowing my guests to create the seating arrangement. I'm looking forward to using them but for now with only two plates it's a picnic for my Beloved and I.

A Romantic Picnic For Two.

My buy-of-the-century silver.

Six place settings for $25.00!

I'm linking to Susan at Between Naps On The Porch today for

Wishing you an Amazing Weekend!

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

A Simple Luncheon

2010-04-15T08:14:00.006-04:00

Hello Friends~ ~ ~

You are invited for a luncheon come on in and pull up a chair. We are having a big salad some crackers and Iced tea. It was so refreshing last week when the temps were in the 80's around here for a whole week. I was lovin' it.

I used my Buy Of The Century silverwear which we have been using every day since I got it. I paid $25 for 6 place settings of silver. Can you believe it? I mixed it today with my black handled vintage knives that were a gift.

The napkins are kitchen dish cloths I bought last summer on the cheap and I really do use them a lot because they wash up so nicely. I got two different patterns. Love plaid.

The glasses are Princess House from years ago.

Please notice the placemat set of 4. Mom has been sewing again and she would love to sell these placemats. If you have an interest they are $15.95 plus shipping for the set of 4. The table runner is an additional $7.95. I love reds and this set has an Italian flair with the olive oil and salad bowls. It really is sweet and sets a nice table.

I choose to only use placemats today which I hardly ever do. My dining table has a glass top to protect the wood finish and I don't like the noise it makes when the dishes are moved around on it. I much prefer the silence of a tablecloth. How about you?

Here is a shot of the placemat set. Mom really does nice work. She is a great seamstress still at 89 years young.

This is another set Mom has for sale if you are interested please let me know. These cupcakes are so cute. They would make a sweet party table.

I'm linking up with Susan at

Between Naps On The Porch

for Table Scape Thursday.

Please visit her for links to everyone who joined in for the fun.

Make It A Wonderful Weekend
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Buffet Before and After

2010-04-09T09:11:00.006-04:00

Hello Friends~ ~ ~

This is the after shot. Not to everyones

taste but a little whimsy is good in my

house. Wait till you see how ugly

and dirty it was.

After seeing some of the painted furniture out there I got to thinking if only I was an artist. I've got this ugly buffet that I need to do something about. Because of all the panels on it I was thinking a fancy paint job would look great.
This is a shot Before the transformation. I really disliked the wide gold rim around the edges and panels.

Do you get so excited about a project that you forget to take a before shot? I had the buffet all pulled apart before I remembered.

First I used my Cottage White paint and painted the piece and rubbed some off to let the original yellow cream color show through.

Above, drawers before.

Above drawers painted. The centers will get papered.

Above drawers finished.

I used Mod Podge to glue the paper and as a top coat.

This top drawer is papered with a paper I printed at the Graphic Fairy. If you are not familiar with her she shares, bless her, the most beautiful vintage graphics for our use. Thank you Karen.

I am linking this post to

Brag Monday @ Graphics Fairy.

I almost papered all the drawers with the script but decided I wanted more pizzaz.

Both sides of the piece are done with this lavender print.

Ta Da! I love it, let me know what you think.

I will be doing the top in a harlequin pattern and I need some suggestions about which 2 colors you would use for the top. Please leave a comment with your suggestions. Thanks so much.

I am linking this week to Cindy at

My Romantic Home

Also linking to Susan at

Between Naps On The Porch for

Metamorphasis Monday

Thanks for stopping by and a comment will lead me back to your house.

~ ~Make it a great weekend~ ~

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Spring Wishes For You

2010-04-01T15:52:00.008-04:00

Greetings Friends~ ~ ~

Isn't this the cutest little lamb you have ever seen? Perfectly sweet for Easter. Her name is Olympia and she lives on the farm with a knitting friend Kristin Nicholas. Kristin is a famous personality in the knitting world and has written a number of books. She also designs patterns and she knit this floral lei specially for Olympia.

To see the greeting cards Kristen has made up for purchase visit her farm blog. From there you can link to her shop where she sells all sort of knitting goodies.

I hope that Kristin will keep us updated on the progress of Olympia as she grows up.

I have something else to share with all of you that I am truly thrilled about. It's been a long wait but these are tiny apricot trees that I started from seed last summer! We had gotten some of the most flavorful and sweet Apricots that I had ever eaten and the decision was made to grow trees from these seeds. I did some research and found that apricot seeds need to be in the dark and cool for MONTHS for them to sprout. I put 8 seeds in a plastic bag of soil and tucked it in the back of the fridge. This was in September of last year. Every few weeks I would check them for a sprout.

Finally a few weeks ago I saw that two of them had sprouted little leaves so I gave them a new home each in it's own pot. I carry them outside on sunny days and put them in a shaded spot to get them acclimated to the outside.

Four of the 8 seeds I put in the fridge sprouted roots and only 2 so far have leaves but I am pampering them and I have high hopes for 4 lovely trees with luscious fruit. See the tiny clump of dirt beside the bean can they were all about the same size.

I use bottle caps to cover the holes in the bottom of my pots so the water can run out but the soil stays in.

Here they are all potted up. I remember that my Grandmother would put flower slips in cans and line her window sills with the cans during the winter so I thought a can may infuse the soil with helpful minerals so I tried one in a can. We shall see.

Grandmother always had window sills full of flowering geraniums all winter. In the summer she put them out in her flower beds. Then in the fall she broke slips off the plants and put them all in cans again. Quite a money saver with the price of geraniums if you have wide window sills and no cats!

I am linking up with Cindy at her Romantic Home for

"Show and Tell Friday".
Thanks everyone for stopping by.

I wish you a wonderful Easter!

~ ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~ ~

Amazing Quilts

2010-03-30T14:44:00.005-04:00

Greetings Friends~ ~ ~
Last week we enjoyed a day at a huge quilt show held locally in Lancaster County. If you are like me and not in touch with quilting in 2010 you will be amazed at the quilts here. Your Grandmothers quilts they are not but oh my, are they lovely and creative.

I adore the flowers on the pink one above. All applique.

This was stunning also.

The quilt above was only one of just a few of the old fashioned looking quilts among hundreds that were displayed for judging. I kid you not, hundreds!

I found the one above amusing, how about you?

This quilt with all the points was beautifully made and won Best In Show!
If you sew, this will make you lose sleep!

Pretty, pretty.

Intricate.

I love this one with the vases of flowers. Wouldn't this make a great cloth for a table scape?

I can see it hanging over a big round table with

Lots of white dishes on it.

Interesting?

These two were on display in a booth and the patterns were for sale.

I just had to share the fun and beauty with you.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit.

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

To Paint Or Not To Paint?

2010-03-24T12:31:00.007-04:00

Hello Friends~ ~ ~

I would like to share with you some of my methods for painting furniture that I have used successfully. Maryjane mentioned on her comment that she would love to paint her furniture, Did I do it myself. Yes! The reason most of us don't just jump in and do it is fear. Can I really do this and how will it look when I'm done? Well gals, if I can SO CAN YOU!

Let me share with you that I was no different before I painted all of this. The only reason I didn't hesitate is that I didn't have time to!

(Please notice below the fancy carvings on the cabinet doors were not there before. I bought them and pasted them on Before painting, adding a sweet little French Touch to the piece)

We had just bought this house so that Mom could move in with us. It was perfect for the situation in many ways but it was and still is decorated Victorian dark! Deep wine red and cream is the color scheme. I love Shabby Chic white but never did it right. Mom loves Victorian and I knew that she would love this house. . and I was right. All of her furniture worked right into the design and colors.

So, what was a Shabby Chic Gal to do. No more time to hesitate about weather to paint or not to paint just choose a color girl and git going! I painted all my furniture white thinking it would lighten up the house without doing a total house redo. That's coming up much later in my budget.

This French paste wax is soft and creamy and the final step of my paint job. No polyurethane finish for me I love the soft glow this wax imparts. It's softer than an English paste wax because the French furniture has all the elaborate wood carving and this soft wax more easily flows into the carvings. It's amazing.

This is a little table I painted last summer.

I have no before and after pictures of the other furniture because this all happened Before the blog and I wasn't in a picture taking mode. Funny how blogging effects your life. Now everywhere I go I've got my camera with me!

Step 1. Lightly sand the piece to rough it up a bit.

Step 2. Paint with KILZ This stuff is amazing, covers everything

Step 3. When dry sand lightly again and do this Before every coat

Step 4. Paint. All my furniture was darker than this table and I put on 2 coats.

Step 5. Let dry for a few days to a week. Than wax.

Ta Da! Pretty white furniture. I did not ruff mine up to age it. That has happened over time and I like the look.

See the corner of the buffet in the back of this picture~ ~It's next on the paint list.

I used Behr Paint and choosing a shade of white was agonizing. I didn't want white white or gray white so I choose a darker shade of white but looking at this furniture you wouldn't guess it. I used "Cottage White" and I'm very happy with the results.

Any questions? Just ask.

Love you all
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Networking With The Ladies

2010-03-18T10:18:00.008-04:00

Greetings Friends~ ~ ~

A new season and a new venture. I'm so excited and so ready for Spring. Please join me for a ladies luncheon as we brainstorm and put our intentions out to find the perfect connections for my new business.

What I need right now is someone who can set up a large website for me. I have a rather large list of items that this website must be programed to oversee. I'm not a computer guru but I could really use one right now. If you are one or know one please let me know. I would be thrilled if the magical person for this job would come from my list of blog friends. Thanks in advance for all your help.

Back to the table scape. I set up a table for a little luncheon. I got out the pale pink tablecloth I bought at a flea market. I love this cloth. Look at the jacquard roses woven into it. See them above the place setting. It's so soft and pretty.

I used my vintage hankies for napkins again and I'm finding that I just love this idea.
Around here they are relatively inexpensive $1.50 -$3.00 each.

This pink vintage napkin with the scalloped edge is my favorite.

I love these little clear leaf plates. I often use them for a bread plate. They are a little difficult to see on the table so I tied each one with a snippet of ribbon and placed a few candy eggs on each.

I have used two different patterns of vintage china for the place settings. Two with lavender flowers and two with pink flowers. Don't you just love mixing things up? Each tea cup is also different.

These are some closeups of the centerpiece. I used lots of small Easter pieces I have saved over the years. I love how some of you gals are using much larger pieces for your centerpieces. I must start collecting bigger pieces. I love how they make a big statement.

This little sugar bowl is one of my favorites.

These two hobnail shoes belong to Mom.

Lavender M&M's how great is that!

Antique salt & peppers.

A pretty little tea cup and a sweet set of Cambridge Blue sugar & creamer.

The creamer holds tea bags.

My Thanks to Susan for hosting this Tablescape Party at

Between Naps On The Porch

Hop on over and see the links to many more beautiful tables.

Hope you all have a Great Weekend.

~ ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~ ~

Antiquing & Brunch

2010-03-10T17:22:00.007-05:00

Greetings My Friends~ ~ ~
A birdseye view of our Sunday Brunch table. Ahhh, I feel Spring coming on but I am getting ahead of myself. Before brunch we did a little antiquing.

Sometimes I have something specific in mind when I hit the antique markets but today I was lovin' all of it. I want to share with you some of the sights. Two sets of deco lights, be still my heart I adore the set on the left and they would look amazing in my house but at $950.00 for the set, not today thank you!

This set was sweet too.

I have the perfect spot for these but I really only need 2 and they were priced at $3500.00 for the set of 3! I would love to have one on either side of my Victorian picture over the bed. Sigh!

I want to go shopping with Bill, He gets the greatest deals, doesn't he? In his neck of the woods I could probably get them for $50.00 for the lot.

I adore this Deco light.

The shades looked like Carnival glass.

This is amazing too.

Good thing I don't have to choose.

Pretty, pretty set of dishes. Love the flowered center.

A few pieces of white ironstone~ ~always makes me swoon.

After a fun morning of antiquing we came back to our home for Brunch.

These sweet little napkin rings were a

yard sale find 10 for $6.00.

That's more like it. I love a bargain, don't you?

Here is my recipe for

"Breakfast Casserole"

4T. Butter

1 med. onion, chopped
2 chopped cloves garlic

Saute till transparent add 1 lb. cleaned shrimp saute till done.

season with 1/2 tsp. Thyme

set aside

Butter a 9 x 13 pan

cube 8 slices of bread

(I use crusty french or my homemade bread)

put half into the pan

layer half shrimp mix over bread

top with half shredded cheeses

Do all 3 layers again.

1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss Cheese

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
~ ~ ~ ~

Mix in a bowl
7 beaten eggs

2 T. flour

3 cups half and half

1/2 tsp. salt & 1/4 tsp. black pepper

pinch of red pepper

Pour egg mixture over layered bread mixture.

Cover and refrigerate overnight

In The Morning

Bake UNCOVERED about 50-60 minutes till knife inserted near center comes out clean.

You can substitute bacon or sausage for the shrimp if you like.

This dish reheats nicely or cut into squares and nuke for a quick breakfast.

Keeps for a few days in the fridge after baking.

Thanks for tagging along on our trip.

Hope you had fun

I am linking to Susan at Between Naps On The Porch

for Tablescape Thursday

Also linking to Michael Lee at Designs By Gollum

for Foodie Friday

Make It A Great Weekend!

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

My Favorite Tea Cup

2010-03-08T17:07:00.005-05:00

Greetings Friends~ ~ ~

Here it is right in the front. The prettiest tea cup I own. Why not show us yours. Whenever I have a cup of tea I like to use this cup. I must admit to coffee as my first love, Sorry tea. I occasionally like a cup of Black Chi Tea, Stash Brand in the red and black box, with a big spoonful of local honey. I also enjoy Earl Gray tea.

I was invited by Lady Katherine to join her for Tuesday Tea. How could I say no.

I set my table with my new quilted table cover over a lace cloth. You all know that I must have lace. Love it.

Sweet pink lace edge on the napkin too.

I added a small Spring centerpiece to the table. The sweet little bird is holding the place for the bunny. Can you believe I had the cutest little bunnys in an egg last year and I can't find them! Must be a gremlin. I have looked everyplace. I really hope it shows up before Easter.

Oh yes, I made brownies too in honor of the tea.

Best brownie recipe I have ever eaten.

I found it at one of my favorite

cooking blogs, "2 Stews".

If you are not familiar with this blog you really should check it out.

These girls can cook!

I made the full recipe and baked it in a 9 X 13 pan for about 2 hours.

When I make them again I will use two 8 X 8 square pans instead.

Just saying. They are decadent!
Oh yes, and I added pecans too.

The ceramic eggs are Moms. Many years ago she made ceramics and every year we have sweet little eggs to put out for Easter.

This is my Easter Egg tree. It's a wire tree and I drape eggs on it for Easter. These little peeps are so sweet and I love to get them out every year. Isn't it fun each year to see all the old and treasured pieces we have gathered over the years. I enjoy greeting them each Spring.

Please visit Lady Katherine for Tuesday Tea

if you have a few minutes.

I'm sure that she would love to see you.

Thanks so much for visiting me and enjoy your week.

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

White In White? Is This Working?

2010-03-03T17:23:00.009-05:00

Hello Friends~ ~ ~

I've got a few things going on here that I want to share with you. First thing is I would like to have your opinion about serving white soup in a white bowl. Maybe some of you might think I'm a little crazy but I consider these things when I'm serving food. Today as I ladled the soup into the bowl I was thinking, Should I be using the gold bowls that go with the Provencal plates? Personally the earthy warm colors of the plate seem to be asking for a creamier colored bowl not one so stark and white. What are your thoughts on the subject? I am not fond of the above picture. The white bowl is to cool for the surrounding warmer shades, to my eye anyway.

The plate is made by SAKURA and the patten is called Les Olives. I bought it a few years ago at a really great price because they were discontinuing the pattern. Such a shame because I really love it

OK, on to What's in the bowl?

Sorry folks but I really don't have a recipe for this soup. I can tell you what I used but the measurements are flexible depending on the size of your soup pot and the amount of potatoes you use. I needed to use up some of the many yams I had on hand so I made a big pot of Cream of Two Potato Soup. I used white Kenneback potatoes and yams in the picture above. The 3 small onions chopped and 3 garlic cloves minced.

This is the pot of the cubed potatoes finished boiling with the salt, pepper and 2 bay leaves. I drained off all the cooking water but a scant inch. Then added 4-5 cups of half & half, depending on how thick or soupy you like it.

You can also save this cooking broth for a vegetable broth for another soup later in the week. I sometimes do that with my pasta cooking water too. It adds lots of flavor to the coming broth to start with this water. You could add a chicken carcass and more vegetables and boil it down a bit to flavor it some more.

I hard cooked 11 eggs and chopped them up and added them to the pot. More salt & pepper and a few spoons of parsley and a dash of nutmeg. Oh, and 2 bay leaves to the pot.

I saute the onions and garlic separately till translucent and season with about 1-2 tsp. Thyme.
I used about 6 T. butter to do the saute. I love butter in Potato soup, it's a must.

Ta Da. The end result.

Oh no, What's this? A huge bowl with a plate on top. This bowl is living in my fridge for about 3 weeks now.

Here's what's inside. A clump of sourdough bread dough.

Yesterday I made 2 loaves from this clump and this will make 2 more, maybe tomorrow. It keeps in the fridge for a few days. I've been making this bread about every 3 days for the last 3 weeks and we are still not tired of it.

This is the easiest bread I have ever made, and the best tasting too. Perfect every time.
It's like a loaf of European bread chewy inside and crusty outside. We love it.

I got the recipe over at Heather Bullard's blog. I'm not going to recopy the recipe here but as soon as I have the link I'll put it up for you. It's extensive but after doing it once you can make this bread without the recipe.

Please click to go to Heathers Bread post.

If you are not familiar with this Beautiful Blog

you really must stop by.

This week I'm linking up to Susan at

Between Naps On The Porch

for Table Scape Thursday.

Also linking up to Michael Lee at

Designs By Gollum for~ ~ ~

Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit and please leave a comment for me.

I love to read your thoughts.

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

It's All About Food This Winter

2010-02-25T21:21:00.004-05:00

Warm Greetings Friends~ ~ ~

I guess it's the unusually cold and snowy winter that is making me want to cook comfort foods. Pasta and bread two of my favorites. How about you, what are your winter favorites to cook? This is a plate of one of my favorite pasta dishes and it's so easy.

It's an oldie but goodie I just love this cookbook. I've had this book for years and made many a recipe from it. I'm not even sure if it is still in publication.

Two things I specially love about this book are,

all the recipes I have tried have been winners and ~ ~

there is a story that goes with every recipe.

Maybe the first time they tried this dish was in Italy and they raved so about it that the chef invited them into the kitchen to see how it is made. With notebook and pen in hand they witnessed the dish being made and copied the recipe to share with us.

This is my kind of cookbook, infused with stories. I always read them like a novel.
Don't you just love recipe books?

Yummm, Pasta with a White Clam Sauce and . . .

Fresh Made Bread. What a Delight!
With homemade Apricot Jam.

This was my first attempt at making bread in many years.

Not bad. It was chewy and crusty just like I like it.

Very easy to make.

This is the recipe for the Pasta with White Clam Sauce.

I hope you like it.

So simple yet good enough for company.

I will be linking up with Michael Lee at Designs By Gollum for

Foodie Friday. Stop by for other recipes and to share in the fun.

Stay warm and dry and Enjoy your weekend.

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

A Warming Bowl of Soup

2010-02-19T12:45:00.007-05:00

Hello Friends~ ~ ~

If you are like me a bowl of warm soup on a cold day is perfect, well almost. What makes it perfect for me is a pan of hot corn muffins.

I'm home alone today and getting lots of things done. Do you like having the house to yourself too? I decided to pamper myself and set a pretty little table for lunch in the sunroom.

Can't get done looking at and tasting these sweet little muffins. They are made in the tiny muffin pans and the recipe makes 24 tiny muffins. Truth be told I made these last night for dinner with the soup so today is leftovers. Honestly, I love leftovers, how about you?

The Muffin recipe is Martha's and it's called "Mini Cornbread Puddings". Try them, they are so moist and yummy. We like them better than regular cornbread.

Pretty bowl of Squash Soup garnished with home grown

and canned pickled beet & onion and a dollop of plain yogurt.

Coffee for dessert and a few minutes spent with

Julia Childs "Baking With Julia".

And a few more minutes. This is a beautiful book.

OK, Here is the recipe for the soup.

Reading left to right~ ~in the above picture~ ~

1 of these and 1 of these and 2 of these.

Heat in a pot till hot.

I am linking today to Designs By Gollum for Foodie Friday.

Click the link and see who is cooking what!

Make it a Wonderful Weekend

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Coffee and A Friend

2010-02-18T07:40:00.005-05:00

Hello Friends~ ~
Yesterday a friend stopped over for coffee and a chat.

I got out my HUGE coffee cups for a giant pick-me-up.

I was putting another set of 4 of Mom's handmade placemats out to photograph for all of you so I just put a pot of coffee on.

We talked about knitting and quilting and family.

It was a nice visit.

I adore this French milk bottle. I keep my light cream in it for coffee.

It come in blue and red and you can get it at

Farmhouse Wares.

This little round table is in the sunroom. It's my project table but it also makes a sweet spot for a dinner or coffee for two.

The chairs belonged to my Dad's family and we have 6 of them. They are rough shape but we keep gluing them back together. I don't want to give them up.

These coffee cup placemats are hand made by Mom and she is selling them for $15.95 + S&H for a set of 4. The set of 3 pot holders is $7.95. If you are interested please mention it in your comment and we will make arrangements to ship them out to you. Mom was so pleased that the cupcake and ice cream placemats last week sold. She loves to spend her time sewing and tatting and quilting. At 88 years young she does lovely work.

I am linking up this week to Susan at

Between Naps On The Porch for Tablescape Thursday.

Pleases stop by for a visit and join in for the fun.

~ ~Enjoy your day~ ~

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

My Brush With Fame

2010-02-16T08:54:00.005-05:00

Hi Friends~ ~ ~

This is one of those feel good pictures. Mr. Scott Hamilton of Olympic ice skating fame.

Did I ever tell you the story of the time I met Scott Hamilton?
There was a skating event in town, I believe it was Skate America, a few years ago.
I met Scott at the fixings bar at the Starbucks!
When we walked in I was amazed to see him and a few other skaters ordering coffee.

They stood around chatting and laughing quietly and then it happened~ ~as I approached the fixings bar so did Scott. We stood side by side and added cream to our coffee and I'm thinking "Should I talk to him or not? I'm sure he has so many people stop him to chat that he would rather not be bothered. Should I , Should I?" So I turned to him and said, "Scott I want to thank you for the many hours of enjoyment you have given to me over the years. I cheered with you and cried with you and I feel like I know you as a friend. It's so nice to meet you."

I was truly star stuck and was amazed that I got all the works out and that they sounded relatively intelligent and I didn't throw up.

He responded in the kindest and most gracious manner. He said, "Thank you, I sincerely appreciate it. It has been an honor and my greatest joy."

We nodded, smiled and parted and I thought, What an amazing human being.

I was struck by how gentle he was and how very petite, only as tall as me. As he walked out of the Starbucks I saw him gliding gracefully over the ice and thought~ ~What an amazing life.

I found this picture of Scott and his wife. What a lovely couple.
Thanks for listening. With the Winter Olympics in full swing I thought this was an appropriate story to share.

Make it a great day.

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

It All Started With A Wish !

2010-02-10T17:42:00.010-05:00

Hello Friends~ ~ ~

As many of you know we moved into this house over a year ago so that my Mother could live with us. She is a young 88 and loves to tat and quilt and sew. Yesterday she announced that she wished she could sell some of her place mats and pot holders so that she could sew more. There are so many cute prints she would love to use, so she says. I looked at the two cute sets of 4 placemats she brought upstairs and said "well, why don't we set a sweet little table with one of these for "Tablescape Thursday" and see if anyone would like to purchase your handiwork." I told her many of the gals that visit love to set beautiful tables. Let's see what we can do so this is the result.

This pink set with the ice cream cones is the one we choose to work with. We pulled out all of the things we had around that might work with these colors and got busy.

She positioned the placemats and pot holders over the lace tablecloth. We decided to use the potholders on the table to add more color. Aren't they pretty?

Next we placed the white dinner plates and on top of each plate we used some of my pretty handkerchiefs as napkins. Sweet idea, don't you think?

Each napkin is different and I love them all.

The stainless is Michelangelo by Onida.

We set out the little white leaf plates for each place.

See the corner of the sweet little pink edged napkin peeking in from the centerpiece?

On top of it I placed my French brooch.

We used the glitter trees because, well, they sparkle

and the more sparkle the better!

The bowl in the center is filled with dried rose petals.

First I hung the pink sequined hearts on the candlesticks

but didn't like that so I tried them

atop the rose petals~ ~perfection!

We placed some of the bottles I topped with ornaments and flowers around.

Close up of the bottle and I do love these trees

Sweet salt & pepper and creamer.

Love pink roses.

More sparkle!

The hearts do look better on top of the rose petals don't you agree?
This is the table as you enter the room. (above)

This is the back side of the table. (above) We had lots of fun setting this up and hope that you enjoyed seeing our little work of art.

These are the two sets of placemats. Ice Cream Cones or Cupcakes. If you are interested in purchasing either from Mother please indicate so in the comments and leave your email so that we can contact you. The price for 4 hand sewn placemats is $15.95 + shipping. Set of 3 potholders are $7.95 + shipping.

Please notice that the corners are square on one set and rounded on the other.

This post is linked to Susan at Between Naps On The Porch.

Please stop over at her house to see everyone who is joining in for the fun.

I am also linking to Michael Lee at Designs By Gollum.

She always has a big party too

so stop over and visit for more fun and Tablescapes.

Our Thanks to all of you.

I am Pleased to announce that the placemats

have been sold.

Thank you

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Spring Arrangement 101

2010-02-09T16:40:00.005-05:00

Greetings Friends~ ~

Last weekend we had 18" of snow and are bracing for another 12" tomorrow. I feel like I need a Breath Of Spring. I'll share with you how I made this dogwood arrangement to fool myself into thinking Spring is just around the corner.

We have a wonderful shrub outside with very fine branches that twist and curl. I have not been able to locate the name of this perennial shrub. The stems are lined with tiny lavender flowers all along the stems and it falls over like a lavender fountain. It's 6-7' tall. It is stunning when it blooms and it blooms all summer! If you can identify this shrub I really would appreciate it.

I choose a few branches from this shrub but you could use any tree branch with a pleasing shape. Choose a pot that you like for the outside pot and then find another smaller pot that is heavy and fits inside the larger pot to stabilize it and add weight. My inside pot is a heavy clay pot. Cut a piece of florists foam to fit inside the smaller pot tightly and push it in.

Set the smaller pot inside the large pot. Crumble newspapers and push them all around the small pot to keep it centered and make it stand upright.

Arrange your branches artfully and wire them together. Trim them to the height you like and push them into the foam.

My helper says keep going your doing a good job. He is always in the middle of a project.
Cats are such a delight.

I used dogwood branches I got a Michael's for 40% off and some Spanish moss to top the pots off and hide the newspapers. You really could use any spring flowers I also considered forsythia but I wanted white flowers.

I hung two sequined hearts that I had around the lower branches for Valentines. I will change these out for possibly birds or ivy after Valentines day.

I really needed something to fill the empty corner in the diningroom and I love the way it looks in front of the lace curtains.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit.

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Snow Storm Entertainment

2010-02-06T11:40:00.005-05:00

Hello Friends~ ~
This is what we woke up to this morning and it's still snowing. We have about 18" of snow on the ground. This is the view outside the back door from the sun room.

Isn't it beautiful lying over everything, untouched?

This shot is through the screened window out onto the road by the house.

We got the cross country skis out this morning. Should be fun.

The birds are eating large amounts of food. We are filling the feeders every hour and putting seed on the ground for the doves, sparrows and cardinals who prefer to ground feed. There are so many birds here that the feeders cannot accommodate them all. Everytime I step up to the window to try to get a picture they scatter.

This sweetie loves it when it snows because it's the only time he gets to go outside. If the snow is deep enough he can't get very far so out he goes for a little romp.

This is my snow entertainment a new knitting project. I've had this bulky yarn for some time now and thought great, this will be a quick knit. Oh yeah, was I wrong. I really have to pay attention because every row is different. Reading the rows and the chart at the same time. Was I nuts?!

This is the pattern from the book "French Girl Knits". It's called "Wrenna".

I love this book. It has a few sweaters in it that I really want to knit. Like this lovely cream one on the cover.

This is my progress so far. I am using Lambs Pride Bulky in Brite Blue.

So. . .What are you doing if you are snowed in this weekend? Cooking is always another option for me and will happen later today. We will be having Vegi Lasagna tonight. Something warm and hearty. How about you? Stay warm and dry.

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Today Has Been A Strange Day

2010-02-03T16:19:00.005-05:00

Hello Friends~ ~

The other day I was sitting on the sofa just relaxing, imagine that? I left my eyes go soft and I looked around and thought. .You are pretty lucky girl! You are living in a lovely home with family and a feeling of gratitude swept over me. I snapped a few shots of what I saw. Do you see the black kitty sitting in the doorway? I'm grateful for him too.

The double glass doors lead to the sunroom.

This is not exactly what I would have choosen as decor had I done it myself but the location of the house and the situiation fit our needs perfectly. We are very close to loving family and we are Blessed with wonderful neighbors.

I prefer hardwood floor to wall to wall carpet it's definately different as the w to w is patterned.
The border around the ceilings is almost more than I can handle but I solved that problem by not looking at it! I only look at the things I am grateful for. I would like to say that this follows through in the rest of my life as well.

A few crappy things happened today but I dealt with them and now I am moving forward. How do you deal with it when things go wrong for you. Do you bitch and moan about it to everyone you see during the day or do you deal. . .and Move On?

Life is really a pretty good thing (got that from Martha) I like to look at the good stuff because looking at the good and not the bad will Always bring to me more of the good. And look at all I have to be Thankful for. I'm sure that you can count your many Blessings too. Stop, and do it now! Don't wait another minute run through the list of what you are Thankful for right NOW!

Go ahead, everything else will wait~ ~ ~ ~Now, take a deep breath. Doesn't it feel good?

Thanks for listening and playing along.

Love to all of you

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

and The Winner Is~ ~

2010-02-01T08:53:00.006-05:00

Greetings Friends~ ~

Since this Give-a-way was this lovely pie dish from the kind folks at www.cookware.com I think it's fitting to end the contest with my Favorite pie recipe for Banana Pecan Cream Pie. It's easy and the result looks like you are a pro even if you aren't.

Please remember that Emile Henry will give 10% of the sale of each PINK pie dish to Breast Cancer Research. Wouldn't it be a great gift to give the women in your life a Pink pie dish as a Valentines gift?
It would also make a sweet Easter gift too.

Ingredients at the ready.

Mix the crust and press it into the pie dish.
Bake the crust and cool.
This crust is so good you will want to use
it for other pies that you bake. It's a No Roll Crust! Yeah.

Mix up the filling and pour it into the shell.

Top the pie with the Cool Whip and sprinkle with pecans.

Isn't this table quilt lovely? Is was a gift from my Mother.

She sewed it and quilted it all by hand.

This is the very simple recipe. Enjoy!

. . .and the Winner Is~ ~ ~

Kathleen's Gonna Want Seconds Cooking Blog!

Congratulations Kathleen. My sincere Thanks

to all of you for entering and for honoring me

with your presence here at my home

~ ~Joyously Living Life. Stop by again soon.

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

French Giveaway

2010-01-20T14:28:00.010-05:00

Hello Friends and Welcome~ ~ ~

A few days ago I was contacted by the lovely Ashley at CSN. Would I be interested in CSN sponsoring a Giveaway on my blog she asked? Are you kidding! I was not familiar with CSN but have come to learn that they have many websites. Quite a few have to do with the things we love for our homes and entertaining. There is a website that sells all the name brands of Bar stools and Furniture that you all know and love. Then there is their cookware site that I just adore. There is a site where you will find the most amazing mail boxes I have ever seen. There is even a site that has pet supplys.

Ok, your saying. Then why all the pictures of delicious pies?

Well, remember I said that I loved their site filled with cookware?

These pies all look great, don't they?

The first picture is my favorite pie.

Banana Creme Pie with Pecan Crust

The next two are from Bon Appetit.

Well, wouldn't they look even better in a beautiful Pink ceramic Pie plate

made in France by Emile Henry?

Have you ever cooked in Emile Henry's ceramic pie plates and casseroles? I have been using Emile Henry baking dishes for many years. I began using them when Martha Stewart talked about how much she enjoyed using them. They are amazing at perfectly browning your crusts. You will love the results when you bake pies in them.

THE GIVEWAY

The picture above is the giveaway pie plate you will receive if you are the winner!

(not the glass pedistal)

Here is how you can enter to win.

FOR 1 CHANCE TO WIN

Just leave a comment on this post and tell me what kind

of pie you would bake in your new pink pie plate.

FOR YOUR 2ND. CHANCE TO WIN

Become a "Follower" on my site then leave another comment

and tell me you are Following me.

( If you already Follow just tell me so in your comment)

FOR YOUR 3RD. CHANCE TO WIN

visit http://www.cookware.com/ and take a look around.

Then come back here and tell me which product

you would love to own in your 3rd. comment.

FOR YOUR 4TH. CHANCE TO WIN

Mention this Giveaway on your blog with a link back here to this post

@ Joyously Living Life then come back here and

comment again and tell me that you did.

If you participated in all 4 ways to win you should have commented 4 times.

If you do not have a blog please be sure that you leave your

email so that I can contact you if you win.

The winner will need to email me her name and address

so that the good folks at CSN can ship her prize.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Should you decide you can't live without this beautiful PINK Pie Plate

Please know that Emile Henry will donate 10%

of the sale of each pink dish to

Breast Cancer Research.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I am joining in for the fun this week at

BetweenNapsOnThePorch for

TABLESCAPE THURSDAY

I can see this on a lovely table set for Valentines

or Easter Dinner.

Thanks to Susan our hostess.

and

DesignsByGollum for

FOODIE FRIDAY

Thanks to Michael Lee our hostess.

The winner will be announced on Monday February 1, 2010

Be sure to stop back to see if your the winner.

Thanks for joining in for the fun

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Delicious Dinner With Friends

2010-01-13T18:54:00.004-05:00

Hello Friends~ ~
This idea all started because of a trip to the "Olive Garden". I ordered the Shrimp Manicotti Formaggio from their special menu and thought it was delightful. Have you tried it?

We have wonderful neighbors who are always ready to come over for dinner for one of my experiments. It's fun to have friends you don't have to be to serious with. If the dinner turns out poorly we can call out for pizza. Well pizza was not necessary. This one is a keeper!

The centerpiece was still on the table from the holidays and I was feeling a little fancy so I added cute little Christmas Cards as placecards and got out the crystal, just in case the dinner failed at least the table looked lovely.

This is the silver I got for a steal at an little antique shop. It was almost black.

Polished up nicely didn't it?

This is my version of the Olive Garden dish. We all gave it a thumbs up.

Try it and let me know what you think? I'm happy to share it with all of you.

Rocotta Rolls with Shrimp & Brandy Sauce

Recipe by Ahrisha at http://joyouslylivinglife.blogspot.com

Serves 5

1 lb. Lasagna Noodles cooked and drained

* * * *

STUFFING FOR PASTA ROLLS

2 lb. Ricotta

1 T. Oregano

1 tsp. parsley

1/2 tsp. salt

20 grinds of pepper

1 1/4 C. grated Mozzarella

2 - 3 eggs depends on how soft your ricotta is
start with 2, if not soft enough to spread add another.

Mix all together. Lay 2 or 3 noodles on the counter at a time side by side. Using a rubber spatula spread a thick layer of filling on each noodle and roll each one up starting at a short end. Place the rolls in a single layer in a casserole dish coated with olive oil. I make 2 dishes and freeze one for later. You will get 14 - 16 rolls. If you will be using all the rolls at once you will need to double the sauce recipe.

Bake the rolls at 350* till hot. Keep warm. Do not crisp them. If your oven is to hot lower the temperature to just heat the rolls.

SAUCE:

2 T. Butter

2 T. olive oil

1/3 C. onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 - 1/2 tsp. Red Pepper flakes

1 tsp. flour

1/4 C. Brandy

2 C. heavy cream

1/2 C. grated Parmesan cheese

30 cooked shrimp (6 for each serving, more if you like)

28 Oz. can Diced Tomatoes, Very Well drained in a strainer.

Melt butter and olive oil in a large skillet over med. high heat. Saute onion till translucent. Add garlic, red pepper and flour, stir and cook at least 2 minutes to fully cook flour. Adjust heat to lower if necessary. Add brandy and cook till reduced by half. Slowly add cream stirring till thickened. Add Parmesan while stirring, add shrimp and HALF the tomatoes cooking to heat. Stirring gently so you don't break up the tomatoes.

TO PLATE:

Place a pool of sauce on each plate and put 2 rolls on top. Top with more sauce and 6 shrimp to each plate. Garnish with additional diced tomatoes. I heated mine in the microwave. Serve with bread to sop up the sauce.

I could use a little computer help here. I had this recipe in my file in Word and thought I could just copy and paste it to my blog post but No Way! I had to retype the recipe. Does anyone know how I can paste copy into a Blogger post?

I'm linking this post to Susan at "Between Naps On The Porch" for Tablescape Thursday.

And Michael Lee at "Designs By Gollum" For Foodie Friday.

Please stop by at these friends to find the links to others who are joining us this week.

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Good Morning

2010-01-08T09:26:00.004-05:00

Will you get away with that camera.

I'm trying to sleep here!

But Babaje, It's time to get up. The sun is up.

The horses in the field next door are awake.

The woodpecker is here having his breakfast.

The cardinal and the sparrow are here too,

So are the Bluejays. Can't you hear them?

I'm having trouble waking up too.

All this cold and snow makes me want to hibernate.

The little bit of sun we have today is getting higher in the sky.

Same view this summer.

I miss having the girls for breakfast.

In the winter they stay in the barn.

Have a wonderful weekend.

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Crafting A Paper Wreath

2010-01-06T16:23:00.006-05:00

Hello Friends~ ~

I have been folding paper and glueing and glittering and just having fun. Do you want to help?
Below is the wreath about half way finished. You use an old book and tear the pages out, ouch! Hope that didn't hurt anyone. I used one I had around the house purchased many years ago at a second hand book store. I wanted a book with old yellow pages.

A word of caution here, when you dirty the edges of the book before you begin make it really dirty so that it shows up on each page if you want a grungy look. I used my old coffee filter from breakfast and rubbed the edges of the book with the damp filter with the coffee wrapped inside. I also used some cinnamon like Eileen did over at Stars Fault. I wish I had made my edges darker but all in all it looks pretty good.

Here you can see that I used black & gold glitter on the edges of the paper.
What do you think? It seems like lots of gals are making these wreaths. You might want to give it a try. Lindsay did a tutorial on making the wreath and you can access her blog from a link on Eileen's blog. Be sure to look at both blogs before you begin. Each gal made hers a little different and you can decide how you will do yours.

Here is the wreath hanging on a door into the kitchen from the office.

I also want to share another craft I did last summer. Can you spot it hanging on my shelf?

It's the little can with a hanger. I'll give you the how tos later.

My Beloved made this shelf for me last summer and I'm finally getting the finishing touches on it. I looked and looked for the perfect hooks for the shelf and just couldn't find the right thing till I spotted these at a local shop.

Have you ever seen such sweet hooks? See the little bird pirched on each one?

I love them. They were dark iron so I had to paint them white. Now I need to put

a little white paint on each nail head to finish them off.

I bought the vintage lace at a flea market last summer and it fits just right.

The shelf hangs above the desk in my office to create a sweet little space to do my work.

A close up of the little birdies.

This rooster is one of a set of bookends holding my Essential oil books on the shelf.

Love roosters. .and chickens.

Beside the books is a basket filled with yarn. I'm waiting for it to speak to me and tell me what it wants to be!

This little bottle of flowers is just waiting for spring and so am I.

This is a close up of the can. I thought it had a cute vintage label and I wanted to keep it around. I carefully cut off the lid leaving 2 small round tabs on each side of the can. I used a tin snipper to trim the tabs and round the edges. Then with a leather punch I poked a whole in the center of the tab. Run a pretty piece of ribbon through the tabs to make a handle and fill with flowers.

Have fun with these and be sure to let me know when I can come for a visit and see your results.

Happy Crafting

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Just What I Need, How About You?

2010-01-01T15:48:00.003-05:00

Hello Friends~ ~ ~

Yes, It's January 1, 2010 Happy New Year to you.

What I am really longing for is to get my hands in the dirt

and grow some beautiful flowers.

Let's take a walk down memory lane, shall we?

All of these lovely blooms are from my gardens.

For all of you who live where it's warm all year. I'm so jealous.
I have one peony bush and it this red stunner.
I love it when you can see the yellow centers, don't you?

Isn't this Honey Dijon rose amazing?

Wishing you the Best this year.

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~