Mama

I've just had the privilege of having my Mother and Dad(86&85) spend 10 days here with me... They flew in from Florida to see my Brother who has been in critical condition since his massive heart attack on 9-11... We were together as a family at Joey's bedside being told there was nothing to be done and I watched as my Mom and Dad were "broken"... The four of us were always a very close family... BUT a miracle happened!!! The day before they left to go home "Joey was set to be implanted with a "VAT" to pump instead of his heart... Yesterday morning as Mom and Dad left on their plane, Joey successfully got his "VAT"... This video is "SO BEAUTIFUL" and as I watch and listen to it I NOT only think of Mom but of Dad too... "This experience with Joey has brought our family to the close BOND we had so many years ago and those three little words of "I LOVE YOU" have been whispered so MANY meaningful times in the time that has passed since this event began... "I'm feeling so at peace right now and loving life to it's fullest"... "I Love you Mom, Dad and Joey so Very Much"!!! AND "I love you to all my family and friends who are praying for us everyday"... "Giant Hugs to you all"!!!

The Curse of DarKastle Front Seat on-ride POV Busch Gardens Williamsburg

"Some SCARY Halloween Fun"!!!

"Blue & White Afternoon Tea with Monica Dickens"

"Our guest today is Monica Dickens"... Yes that last name is to bring Excitement to us all, because she IS the Grand Daughter of "Charles Dickens"... I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this novel at a book fair. This is a "first edition 1947" that EVEN has it's original dust cover... I must admit I don't remember what other treasures I bought that day, and there were MANY... She sat on top of my pile and remained the center of attention for MONTHS till I had the time to settle down for her company... Her imagination is different than that of her Grandfathers, BUT I truly enjoyed my visit into her world... I have invited her today so you could meet her...

"I feel as though it should be only appropriate to serve with English Blue and White Mason Pottery"...That little antique intricately cut silver dish was made local here in Connecticut and it's actually a "beautiful heart", BUT the design tips backward SO I find it better to display like shown in the picture... The little Bonbon spoon is ALSO a local made antique and one of my VERY Favorites... I think that Silver, Blue&White is Perfect together... It always adds a quiet elegance to a setting...

"It's 4O'Clock and time to pour tea"...

Even though I love different teas I seem to always be drawn back to one of my favorites, "Vanilla Almond"... The aroma alone sends me on an incredible journey... "See my tiny little German Rose Spoon peeking out at you"? What's NOT to Love about the intricacy of that little gem...

These teacups hold a generous amount of our favorite tea, coffee, or even hot chocolate... It holds as much as a mug,  yet gives us the elegance we crave...  The pewter plate under my teapot has an incredible story "All It's Own"... I'll have to dedicate a "Whole Post to "Just my Pewter"!!!

"Here are those Golden Quilted Placemats I bought at Home Goods a few weeks ago"... I promised I'd show them off under my Blue&White and HERE it is... Isn't it Perfect? Ms Dickens just LOVED it!!!

I'm linking with Debra for "Vintage Inspiration Friday"... Come have a peek at all the fun @
http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/2010/10/vintage-inspiration-friday-7.html

"I'm also LINKING to My Romantic Home" for Show and Tell Friday"... LOVE IT and you will too, come over and see what everyone has displayed this week...
http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2010/10/show-and-tell-friday_14.html 

"I'm sharing my Fabulous Found Ms Dickens Novel today" with a FUN new Fabulous Found Friday, and PLEASE stop by and see how FABULOUS Fridays can be!!!
http://froufroudecor.blogspot.com/2010/10/fabulous-friday-finds-party-time_14.html  

"I'm LINKING today to Smiling Sally's BLUE MONDAY"!!! Come on over and SEE ALL THE Shades of Blue... SO much fun! AND Sally has an "ALLIGATOR" waiting for you@
http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/2010/10/blue-monday-alligator.html 

"I'm LINKING today with Marty over at Table Top Tuesday"... She has LOTS of fall goodies to share with us and there is SO many wonderful tabletops to explore. Grab a coffee or tea and come join in the fun@
http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/2010/10/35th-table-top-tuesday.html 

"FALL Pies, Pies, & More Pies"!!!

"Ah"! There is NOTHING like "The PORCH of the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, Massachusetts"(top picture)...I can NEVER pay a visit there without coming home and "Spreading my domestic wings"... SO, Let's plan to warm up the kitchen with Home Baked Pies... See that picture there on the left? The Pennsylvania Dutch Shoofly Pie? WELL, I have NEVER made it AND seeing as I LOVE,LOVE,LOVE anything made with MOLASSES AND I don't live close enough to Pennsylvania to satisfy my sweet tooth with the delightful dessert, I HAVE been searching my cookbooks AND the internet with little help. Oh Yes I have found tons of recipes that claim the fame, but when I read the reviews I'm not sure which to attempt. This one pictured here looks as though it MAY be my first try , NOW Ladies if "ANYONE" has a tried and true recipe that is NOT "TOP SECRET" material, I would LOVE to hear from you... How about you Lynn, you live in Pennsylvania(Lucky You), DO YOU know the secret to this pie I crave???

A flock of turkeys thought it looked safe to graze outside my window when they saw my cookbooks were NOT for Thanksgiving... "Graze away Girls, and DO leave me a feather or two if you don't mind... I LOVE them in my flower arrangements"!!!

My little squirrel wandered in from his busy schedule in the trees to see if I have PLANS for making NUT BREADS... "Of Course I do silly guy"!

The little pumpkin is from the Terrafirma Pottery hand made in Manhattan, NY... each piece is hand signed & dated and basically a one of a kind...

AH! cooking with flowers, YUMMY, and this recipe is for Stuffed Zucchini Flowers... I haven't made it in years, Hmmm, maybe for Thanksgiving...Oh Oh!!! I heard a disturbance outside... The ladies got FLUSTERED when I said  thanksgiving"!

AH, PIES!!! Is there a better word??? It is the #1 crowd pleaser in my family of men... OK the ladies love them too... AND I can NEVER have enough recipes... Even the pies that I have mastered, I would NEVER hesitate to ask you for your recipe AND I would always try it!!!

"Oh My Goodness"... a recipe for Scrambled Brains!!! actually there are "2 recipes" here for them... Is there a BIG CALLING for scrambled brains. Has anyone EVER asked you "How do you scramble YOUR brains AND may I have your recipe"??? I just can NOT see excitement at my house if anyone asked, "What's for breakfast", and I say, "Scrambled Brains"... I think you would see EVERYONE Scrambling for the car to go OUT TO EAT!!!

"WHO'S Brain are you Scrambling"??? Go back to the Pumpkin Recipes!!!
I'm LINKING to one of my favorites "Friday's Favorites" at the Whistlestop Cafe Cooking... Come by and see all the fun... Gee I wonder if she ever made "Scrambled Brains"!!!
http://whistlestopcooking.blogspot.com/2010/10/fridays-favorite.html 
"I'm ALSO Linking to Artie and you MUST come see his incredible blog... You will NOT be disappointed... LOVE HIS WORK"... 
http://niagaranovice.blogspot.com/2010/10/vignette-friday-week-eleven.html

At home in the 50s with my Big Brother Joey...

My brother Joey & I in the 50s... LOVE this picture! Joey is doing well in his rehab and likes his therapist and seems to be doing better every day...  We are taking One Day at a Time..."Life is Good"!!!