Monday, July 29, 2013

Summer Hutch and Raspberry Lemon Drops

Summer weather has been amazing here in the Pacific Northwest!
 
Painting outside (with my country music blasting) is how
 
I spent the last few days!
 
Here's a piece that I will be bringing into
 
Faded Elegance
 
sometime this week.
 
 
 
Above photo: Although this was a beautiful piece,
 
solid wood and no cosmetic flaws, it did need updating.
 


 
The frosted glass and detailed glass doors on the hutch
 
look so good with the Maison Blanche -Franciscan Grey
 
and clear wax.
 
 
 
I did light distressing around edges of doors, drawers and
 
molding.

 
 
 

 
The base looks fresh and new in Maison Blanche Vanille.
 
 
Lots of storage and buffet-style serving area.
 
 
If could, I would keep this one...
 
it's a beauty!
 
Speaking of beauty...
 
this Raspberry Lemon Drop is
 
a gorgeous cocktail and it is sooooo delicious!
 
 
Pick an sunny evening and make one..or two :)
 
 
 
 
Cheers!!!
 

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Recipe: Lavender & Honey Muffins



My husband has a repertoire of recipes

he will make for me and the kids, friends and family.

Recently, he made these...



P.S. He threw in about a half cup of white chocolate chips

and they were a hit!

Enjoy!

Cheree

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Summer Herbs and New Age Wine!



I am finally getting into the groove of summer
now that both kids are back from their travels...
Life is good!
My flower pots and hanging baskets are in full bloom...
love!













My herb pot is filling in nicely too!
I have rosemary, French lavender, lemon thyme,
ginger mint (perfect for lemonade) and peppermint
(great for mojitos!).
With all of these herbs, I was inspired to re-make one
of Jill's creations from when With A Twist was in
its first stages of development.
(If you don't remember, Jill is co-founder of With A Twist and also my BFF!
I can't remember what
we called it, but this is what Jill's creative brain
came up with...

Pretty cool, huh?
Here it is displayed with hydrangeas,
but she also created some displayed with school supplies...
Super cute and the possibilities are endless.
My thought was to create a chalkboard herb garden.
Here's how it went...
I had leftover chalkboard paint and decided to put it and my
over abundance of herbs to good use.
I wanted to make two boards, each with three jars.
 These are the supplies I started out with:
-Two old pieces of wood (cut to desired size)
I just used what I had and they measured 6" x 23".
 -Chalkboard paint
- Six mason jars
 -Six 1/2" screws
 -Six clamps (size depends on size of mason jars)
I used what I had on hand, regular mouthed size.
I painted both sides of the board using Restoleum Chalkboard Paint,
three coats, drying completely between coats.
I divided the board into thirds and measured down from top
(a little less than half way down the width of the board) and marked
where I wanted my clamps to go.
I don't have a bit to drill holes thru the steel clamps I had,
so I had my friendly neighbor help (Thanks Olthoff!).
Next, I seasoned the chalkboard by using side of chalk to cover the entire
chalkboard with chalk. I wiped off the chalk with damp cloth. (This is a simple step, but
one that you don't want to skip!)
Next I opened the clamps and used the 1/2" screws to secure them to the board.
Lastly, I placed mason jars into clamps and tightened them securely.
Viola!








On another note, I received a bottle of wine from my friend/hairdresser
(a fellow dog lover who also recently had to put her dog down).
It's a new type of white wine, almost like a spritzer.
She gave me very specific instructions for this little gift...

Serve chilled.

Serve over ice.

Serve with a little lime.

Enjoy!

So that is exactly what I did!

And, I did it with my feet in the river, with friends and with this view....





Couldn't ask for a better afternoon!

Cheers!


Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Saying Good-bye

 
 
 
Having a hard time this week after putting our
 
lil' girl Pomeranian down. She was a rescue pup and lived
 
with our family for 12 years. Ginger loved treats, including
 
 the whipped cream from my latte every morning in bed.
 
We had our little routine, we were spoiled, and she will
 
be forever missed.
 
 
 
Love you Gigi...
 
RIP