Home accessories: May 2015

Saturday, May 30, 2015

Sunday Suppers with the Novel Bakers

I'm joining the Novel Bakers for a one-day event:

Sunday Suppers by Karen Mordechai (Clarkson Potter).

"With her dinner series Sunday Suppers, Karen Mordechai celebrates the magic of gathering, bringing together friends and strangers to connect over the acts of cooking and sharing meals."

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Foodie Friday and Everything Else

Welcome to Foodie Friday and Everything Else.

How was your Memorial Day? Bad weather kept us indoors, but it was nothing compared to the devastating floods in Texas. Sarah at Hyacinth for the Soul gave updates from her blog. You can read about the flooding in her neck of the woods HERE and HERE. If you live in Texas, I hope you're safe and dry.

Monday, May 25, 2015

Red Velvet Berry Crumble

When it comes to holidays, you will find me in the kitchen. Memorial Day is an especial favorite because it's low pressure (to me, anyway). Unlike Christmas, it doesn't involve icy December weather or heavy-duty entertaining. I always look forward to this end-of-May holiday. It's a time to remember our servicemen, time to say goodbye to spring, and time to slow down and be carefree and breezy, enjoying the smells of fresh cut grass and charcoal grills.

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Foodie Friday and Everything Else--Pre-Memorial Day 2015

I'm so happy you've joined us at Foodie Friday and Everything Else. Are you ready for the weekend?

When I was a small girl, Memorial Day was a big event. The men hauled out the smoker and a charcoal grill, and the women would hang out in the kitchen. Everyone had a chore--someone was in charge of beverages; another gathered store-bought buns (and made cornbread, too). It took a village to orchestrate side dishes and desserts. The older kids helped the younger ones set the table, and Lord help you if the knives were turned the wrong way.

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

My Favorite Memorial Day Ideas

When I was a small girl, Memorial Day was a big event.

Monday, May 18, 2015

Great Scots

"Great Scots!" That's what I said when I opened a cabinet, and old snapshots drifted to the floor. The images took me back to 2005, when we spent two blissful weeks in Scotland. Armed with nothing more than sweaters, disposable cameras, and a map, we took off for the wild blue highlands.

Saturday, May 16, 2015

A Pine Hutch for the Breakfast Room

Back in January, when I was planning the ranchburger's kitchen, I showed the cabinetmaker a picture of an old pine hutch. Could he make one? If it wasn't over the budget, that is. Jimmy measured the space three times, then he measured again. He is precise. But I am not. I make mistakes.

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Foodie Friday and Everything Else

Welcome to Foodie Friday and Everything Else.

I haven't been online this past week. I've been busy doing a Bucket List with Zap, my little diabetic Yorkie. By some miracle, he is still with me, though he's had ups and downs. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank everyone who wrote and shared your stories of love and loss. As I read them, I cried and smiled--and I came away feeling that we belong to a sisterhood, one that has comforted me beyond measure. I hope Zap's story offers hope to everyone who has an ill pet.

Thursday, May 7, 2015

Foodie Friday and Everything Else

Welcome to Foodie Friday and Everything Else. This week I had the pleasure of joining the Novel Bakers for Cinco de Mayo.

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

My Abuela's Table with the Novel Bakers

The Novel Bakers are celebrating Cinco de Mayo with a charming cookbook:

My Abuela's Table--an Illustrated Journey into Mexican Cooking by Daniella Germain.

Saturday, May 2, 2015

Kitchen Marble Update

A week ago, Arabascato Vagli marble was installed on the perimeter counters. Bandy found the slabs at OHM in Nashville, all tucked away in the back of the warehouse.

Friday, May 1, 2015

Ordinary Miracles

After a bitter winter, spring has finally arrived. The irises bloom defiantly, as if to say, "It'll take more than sub-zero temperatures to subdue us." I like their attitude. It's a reminder to never lose hope, that ordinary miracles can, and do, happen.