Sunshine Tease

We had such nice weather this weekend.  Sunshine and temps around 70 degrees.  Perfect for sitting on the porch and enjoying the birds chirping and neighbor watching.  Evidently, the sunshine is teasing us as the weather man is predicting teens and a bit of possible snowy mess today and Wednesday.  Oh well...

I found these pics I took at the end of last summer.  I had just found these pretty peacock plates at Pier One and these big mugs with the same colors were in Marshalls.  I already had found this wonderful heavy metal peacock at a local shop.  I really love this peacock.  I haven't really decided what to do with him.  Here I have him holding napkins.  I guess he'd be good for bite size munchies or maybe some small candles.  I don't know why I've taken a liking to peacocks.  Maybe it's the pretty colors in their feathered long tails. I'm a sucker for blues.

Anyway, I set a little tablescape out by the pool.

Notice the cute basket that I had recently given a little update to with paint.  I really like the color.  It gives me a beachy feel so being out by the pool is the right place for it.  I think this summer I will get more use out of it.  It will work great for carrying things outside and looks so pretty to just sit out.

I've been enjoying these large mugs over the winter.  They really are pretty with the blues and golds.  Just look at that peacocks pretty feathers!

This picture has me looking forward to the summer.  I love putting out my water cans and seeing all our pretty flowers blooming.  But until then, I'll enjoy my pictures and stay cozy and warm in our home.  

Have a nice, WARM day everyone!

Smiles to you,

Cindy

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!  I hope everyone gets to enjoy this "sweet" day with their sweethearts or at least with someone sweet, maybe sharing some sweets!

We are starting to dig out today from another heavy snow storm.  For the past couple of days hubby and I have spent our time snuggled up cozy and warm watching movies, dancing, and eating.

Our first night, just as the snow was starting to fall, I made a delicious little apple cake.  Before I give details on the cake, notice my pretty little dish I picked up at Goodwill a few weeks ago.  It called my name and said it wanted to go home with me.  For a $1.25 how could I refuse?  I'm a sucker for pretty china with flowers.  These flowers are so dainty and the perfect colors.  The plate is stamped Made in China and has just the right amount crazing that make it an oldie but beauty!

As for the cake, have you heard of Tastefully Simple?  They make the yummiest cake and dip mixes and seasonings.  They have a whole lot more goodies I still need to try.  My daughter is an Independent Consultant with them.  She recommended this yummy Nana's Apple Cake Mix because she knows I hate having to mix a lot of ingredients and take lots of time baking.  I'm just not a great cook and I'm impatient.  I like to have a finished product quickly without a lot of hassle.  This mix works great.  Just a few ingredients, pop it in the oven for 45 minutes and enjoy!!

I put a few slices of cake on my pretty dish to share with hubby.  I asked him to play this cute tic-tack-toe game with me.  He said he thought it made for a prettier Valentine decoration and ran off to get more cake.

I hope you all have a sweet day.

We are finally getting sunshine and temps in the 40's.  Thank goodness.  I use to fuss about how cold 40's felt. Lately though with all our single digit temps, in the 40's is almost Spring!

I'm linking to Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson and My Romantic Home. Love their blogs.  Please visit them too!

Sending smiles your way,

Cindy

If you'd like to check out Tastefully Simple products, please visit my daughter's site at:

www.tastefullysimple.com/web/kgoddard


Happy Valentine's Day

Snow! Cold!

The words for this week here in Virginia are SNOW! and COLD!

Anticipating the snow Tuesday evening, I pulled out the crock pot and filled it with chicken.  By the time the snow arrived the chicken and dumplings were ready.  Oh and how good they made the house smelled. I opened up a handy roll of Grands biscuits and popped them in the oven while I dished out the good stuff in bowls.

I set the table with, what else, snowmen.  I love my snowmen napkin rings.  I wish I had gotten more than two but that was all that was left when I found them a few years ago.  Notice too, my cute Thirty-one Carry All.  It's perfect for napkins.  The snowmen pattern was only available for a short time.

I love snowmen but I do not love snow or cold!  I will be staying in and working from home until this mess goes away.

Even my snowman flag is dressed for the tropics.

The chicken and dumplings were good and warmed us up.  We had some apple cake for dessert.  No pictures of that.  Gobbled up before I remembered to snap a shot.

Stay warm peeps!

Cindy

Kitchen Changes

Needing a change to start the new year, I did some rearranging in my kitchen. 

Instead of using the old farm table for hubby and myself to dine at, I decided to try the table as an island.

I love this table and each dent, scratch and imperfection.  It has character.  You know as soon as you see it that it's an antique and been well used throughout the years.

We purchased a bench from Pier 1 Imports to use with it last year.   It's now in front of the window making a cozy vignette with two old crocks. 

The iron table and chairs we're using for now we're on the front porch.  The tablecloth and curtains came from Target a few years ago.  They are a Waverly print.  I love them in the colder months.  They give the kitchen a warm feeling.  I love the roses and the colors.

I love baskets too.  The two red ones belonged to my grandmother.  Red was her favorite color.  Sugar uses one for her bed with the toile pillow to soften it up.  Not so sure grandma would have wanted a dog in her basket but...

So far I'm liking the changes.  The farm table gives us more work space.  The kitchen has a  french country feel to it now.

Changes for the new year...so far so good.

Happy New Year!

Cindy

See my bundled up girls in the window?  They came from Target.  Remind me
of my girls.

Here's the bench from Pier 1.  I'm suddenly loving trays.  I picked this pretty
one up at Goodwill before the holidays for under $3.

Only got 4 of these dishes at Cracker Barrel last year.
Wish I'd got more pieces to the set.

My daughter gave me this cute sign for Christmas.  It matches so well!

Happy Monday To You

This is our sweet Sugar during the holidays.  She was very sick last week and had to have surgery.  She may be an old lady, but she came through the surgery like a champ and is feeling much better!
Hope everyone has a good start to the week.  We are getting ready for record cold temps here tonight.