Ring Out the Old, Ring In the New

My New Year's resolutions were going to be the same as always--lose weight, exercise, eat more fruit, blah blah blah. Now that I'm 61-years old, it's probably a good idea to work on my cholesterol, too. In fact, you'd probably be reading about that right now if I hadn't had an epiphany.

Continue Reading »

Farmhouse Seasons: Highlights from 2014

Continue Reading »

Two Bespoke Kitchens

This Sunday we're touring two stunning bespoke kitchens.

Transitional Kitchen by South West Kitchen Designers & Fitters Artichoke

Our tour starts in a "cook's kitchen" in Hampshire, England, and the workmanship is a shining example of "bespoke," which is an old English word for custom made or "tailor made." Inspired by unfitted vintage kitchens, bespoke pieces are as individual as thumbprints. The cabinets are often made of different materials, styled a bit differently, and can be painted or stained different colors.

Continue Reading »

Foodie Friday and Everything Else Link Party--Special Holiday Edition

Happy Holidays!

This week, Foodie Friday is a little early. The link-up will be available all week, closing Saturday, December 27th. You may contribute any day--no limit--and with any kind of post.

Continue Reading »

Tour of Christmas Doors -- Winter Solstice 2014

   

Our "Christmas Tour of Doors" begins on the Winter Equinox, 

the shortest day (and longest night) of the year. If you blink, you'll miss the sun as it races across the sky. Like a magical creature from Alice's Wonderland, daylight is "late for a very important date." 

And that date is December 21st, the first day of winter, when dawn takes its own sweet time, and dusk falls swiftly, like a knife cutting through warm cheese. Incidentally, if you go outside at noon, your shadow will be the longest one you've cast in 2014. So, there's that, at least.

Continue Reading »

A Tour of Christmas Lights

You're Cordially Invited 
to a 
Tour of Christmas Lights. 

Christmas is the most spectacular time of the year. When I was a child, it was a family tradition to drive around town and admire everyone's decorations. On those short, dark days of December, the dazzling lights seem to push back the darkness and create a cozy glow behind my eyes. I would kneel in the backseat, pressing my nose against the window, my breath fogging the glass, trying to memorize every detail. 

Continue Reading »

The Foodie Friday Plus Everything Else Holiday Party

Welcome to the Foodie Friday
Plus
Everything Else Holiday Party.

During the holidays, you're invited to share recipes, DIY projects, crafts, tablescapes, time saving tips, and everything else you think will be helpful to readers. This includes your link parties, give-aways, reviews, and sponsored posts. 
Older, seasonal posts are welcome, too. No limit.

Christmas falls on a Thursday this year, so I'm bumping up next week's Foodie Friday. The link will be available Monday, December 22rd at 7 p.m. Central.


Popular Features from Last Week's Party

Wives with Knives' Buttery Spritz Cookies.
All I can say is...more please!

Cooking with K's Millionaire Fudge 
Granny's Tried and True Recipe.

Upstate Ramblins' Christmas Candy Trees
A delight for children of all ages.

Are you contributing to this week's Foodie Friday?

During the holidays, we're inviting you to share recipes, DIY projects, time saving tips, crafts, tablescapes, and everything else (including your link parties, give-aways, reviews, and/or sponsored posts). Old posts are welcome. No limit.

To add a link, find the blue Inlinkz icon in the lower, left-hand portion of this post. Click on the icon and follow the directions, which includes selecting a thumbnail image. After you complete the process, you may see a red "x" (or mark) beside your name. This allows you to delete your link if you've made an error; the red "x" is visible to you only.

If you need more assistance, an UPDATED guide to this linky party can be read HERE.

Share your food photos with a larger community at the Pinterest board, Top Food Bloggers.  Send me a message @ Pinterest if you'd like to join.

Thanks so much for sharing your delicious recipes and inspiring projects every week. I hope your holidays are merry and bright.

The Foodie Friday and Everything Else Link Party

Thanks for stopping by Rattlebridge Farm.

Foodie Friday Party Invitation

You're invited to party with us tonight at Foodie Friday!

Share your awesome links:

Recipes

DIY Ideas

Tips

Crafts

Tablescapes

and Everything Else!

Continue Reading »

Ranchburger Renovation Diary #1

 And so it begins . . . . a new kitchen adventure.

For the last few months, I've been working on a renovation game-plan.
This time, I worked with an architect, and we agreed that the 8' kitchen ceiling "matched" the wonderful mood of the house--warm, cozy, and cottage-like. However, the old windows needed updating. Rather than adding new casements, the architect pointed to the wonderful view and suggested that I blow out the windows and cabinets and add floor-to-ceiling doors. Since the kitchen opens onto a porch, I really liked this idea--I imagined eating fried sage leaves at at small wicker table and watching the moon rise.

Continue Reading »

A Southern Christmas

Traditional Living Room by Little Rock Interior Designers & Decorators Tobi Fairley Interior Design

This Sunday, we're looking at homes that have been decorated by Tobi Fairley, a Little Rock, Arkansas, interior designer. "Bright, bold, and tailored" are the cornerstones of her philosophy--with a timeless Southern flair. 

Continue Reading »

Simple, Fresh Design

Traditional Kitchen by Other Metro Interior Designers & Decorators Minnie Peters

One morning, I was searching for kitchen ideas on Pinterest, and I saw a photograph that bowled me over. I imagined walking in my sock-feet over those polished floors. I could almost feel the smooth edge of the counter and the sturdy round knobs. What would I put in the drawers? Cookie cutters, rolling pins, measuring cups. The powder blue armoire added a soft, beguiling touch of color in this neutral space.
Oh, how I loved this room.

Continue Reading »

Foodie Friday -- December 11

Thanks for joining us at the December 11th Foodie Friday!

I just returned from the grocery and wanted to share some adorable, festive goodies.

I'll have one of each--how about you?

Continue Reading »

Tour the River Dunes Captain's House

Traditional Exterior by Atlanta Architects & Building Designers Historical Concepts

This Sunday, our armchair traveling takes us to a former Coastal Living Magazine's "Idea House" in Oriental, North Carolina. Facing Grace Harbor, the three-story home was designed to resemble a 19th century coastal mansion, offering wrap-around porches--and a cupola, where you can see all the way to Pamlico Sound.

Continue Reading »

Foodie Friday -- December 5th

Welcome to Foodie Friday!

How was your holiday? Have you been busy baking? Decking the halls? Or looking up recipes for leftover turkey?

I was just thinking today how much I love December.
It's the season for hot tea and candles.

It's the time for mincemeat tarts.

It's the most wonderful time of the year for tablescaping! 

Are you contributing a recipe to this week's Foodie Friday?

 If so, locate the blue Inlinkz icon in the lower, left-hand portion of this post. Click on the icon and follow the directions. After you complete the process, you will see a red "x" beside your name. This allows you to delete your link if you made an error; the red "x" is visible to you only.

You can read an UPDATED guide to this linky party HERE.

Share your food photos with a larger community at the Pinterest foodie board, Top Food Bloggers.  Send me a message @ Pinterest if you'd like to join.

The Foodie Friday Link Party

Have a great weekend.