Celebrate the Day

CELEBRATING HOME GROWN TOMATOES

2011-07-09T11:16:00.000-04:00

This was my tomato harvest this morning!

I stuck with Cherry and Roma tomatoes this year, and have not been disappointed. Both have turned out beautiful, and have been very easy to grow. The other night, I made one of my favorite summer dishes, Ina's Summer Garden Pasta. I actually served it on pearl couscous instead of pasta and it was just as delicious. It is light and refreshing - not a heavy pasta dish at all. I HIGHLY recommend this recipe. . .

Now I need YOUR help! Share your favorite tomato recipe with me! I need to do some cooking or canning this weekend or my beauties will go to waste.

LOVED THE HATS!

2011-04-30T08:51:00.000-04:00

I have to admit, I jumped out of bed at 6:15 yesterday morning and ran to the TV to watch the Royal Wedding. While I think Kate Middleton is stunningly beautiful, I have to admit that I was disappointed all around with her wedding look. Yes, she looked classy and beautiful - as always. BUT - I thought she played it way too safe, and the look turned out a bit boring.

What did NOT disappoint me, though, were all of her guests at the church decked out in fabulous party hats! These ladies glammed it up right for the big day!

Adventures In Gardening

2011-04-21T18:10:00.000-04:00

I have a new hobby . . .

GARDENING!

We have been enjoying lots of beautiful lettuce

and radishes from our back yard.

(I never actually ate radishes until this year)

I grew these babies from seeds, too!

I can't wait to find out how my tomatoes, peppers,

squash, and herbs do this summer!

So Excited. . .

2011-03-17T22:08:00.000-04:00

. . .For spring break 2011 with my girl, Lauren!

One of the best traditions I have is my annual girls

weekend with Lauren.

This year we are heading to SAN ANTONIO!

Lookout, TEXAS!

CBE - Letters From Lauren

2011-03-11T19:27:00.000-05:00

I am totally, 100% inspired by LAUREN, who dedicated herself to writing one hand-written letter every day this year. US Postal Service, take note...

this girl could change your fate!

image from: http://lettersfromlauren.com

This is one act of kindness I can totally relate to.

image from: http://lettersfromlauren.com

Thank you, Lauren, for reminding me how special

it is to receive a hand-written note.

I share your love for beautiful paper and sincere

thought sharing via old fashioned pen and paper.

You certainly are one cool chick,

and you have one of the Coolest Blogs EVER!

http://lettersfromlauren.com/

CBE

2011-03-05T11:46:00.000-05:00

COOLEST.BLOG.EVER.

Just because I don't have much to blog about lately does not mean that you, my lovely readers, should be deprived from all the creativity and rockin' cool blogs that are out there on the World Wide Web!

For instance, I stumbled across this blog by Nashville artist, Mark Tucker. His photography is beautiful, and he has started a blog featuring his one-of-a kind subjects that just happen to be totally cool, totally real people. I find it refreshing that he features local folks doing what they love.

So here you have it, my first CBE: http://mydaywith.com

Spring?

2011-02-24T08:36:00.000-05:00

My daffodils are confused. They think it's spring all ready!

Pecan Pie For My Valentine

2011-02-14T12:30:00.000-05:00

Needless to say, my Valentine was very happy.

This pie got a big, "Hell Yeah" - which translates

to delicious...in Ben's foodie vocab.

Happy Valentine's Day to all of my loves!

Chairs - Before & After

2011-02-06T15:02:00.000-05:00

Anyone that has talked to me recently knows that my life has been taken over by my dining room renovation project.
I am FINALLY finished with Part I: Updating the seat cushions on our dining room chairs!
The old ones were covered in a lovely red-ish/pink-ish velvet. I recovered them using a Belgian Linen fabric.
It's really heavy and is a mixture of creamy whites and greys.
Don't worry. . .I pretreated all of the cushions with commercial grade stain repellent!
Stay tuned for more dining room photos!

My Mini Version

2010-11-06T11:56:00.000-04:00

Of the Parish Fall Table

What to do...

2010-10-30T10:34:00.000-04:00

...when your refrigerator breaks

and you have tons of frozen berries in the freezer???

Blackberry Crumbles!

These little guys smell amazing.

The Fall Table

2010-10-23T09:26:00.000-04:00

I HAVE to share with you this gorgeous fall table

that I saw last night at PARISH.

I love everything about it!

Coach D

2010-10-11T21:29:00.000-04:00

Blake, Neil. "Forest Park at Heritage Hills." Helmet. The Herald 11.10.2010. 11.10.2010 [http://duboiscountyherald.com/b/gallery/forest-park-at-heritage-hills-1]

This is my brother, Neil. He's an assistant coach and student teacher at Heritage Hills High School. He's also quite the local celebrity - getting his picture in the paper frequently these days. He's gonna make one heck of a teacher and coach. Good job, little brother.

1 Year

2010-09-10T21:44:00.000-04:00

OH how quickly a year goes by!

Ben and I celebrate our 1st anniversary this Sunday.

These are some of my very favorite

Jill & Ben photos from the big day. . .

Thanks to everyone who helped make 9.12.09 the most amazing day of my life. Ben, I love you more today than yesterday!

It's Time

2010-09-04T17:45:00.001-04:00

Strolling around the L5P/Highlands area last night and saw this sign. Cheers!

2 Wheaties & 4th of July Hiking

2010-07-05T17:10:00.000-04:00

Emma & Oscar

Splashing around in the falls

Beauties

2010-05-14T08:32:00.000-04:00

Pretty Peonies

Thanks for the photo, Mom! I can't wait for the day

when I can pick these beauties from my yard and arrange

them in a big ole ball jar to enjoy indoors.

TA-DA!

2010-05-08T07:55:00.001-04:00

Sorry it's taken me so long to post these photos!

I have been too busy enjoying the heck out of my new kitchen!

What do you think?

All I have to say is...BEFORE:

AFTER!

Kitchen Update

2010-04-19T10:09:00.000-04:00

Primed and ready to go! Now just waiting on the top coats, cabinet doors and new hardware...Are we finished yet? I can hardly stand it!

My Old Kentucky Home

2010-04-19T10:04:00.002-04:00

It was an absolutely beautiful weekend in Lexington, Kentucky.

The fun began in Frankfort at the Buffalo Trace distillery.

While I myself am not a bourbon fan, I did thoroughly enjoy learning about how it's made, the aging process and the history of KY bourbon.

Recommended bourbons made at BT:
Blanton's & Eagle Rare

A view of barrels aging.

Saturday was Keeneland day...

Hooray for good friends and big hats!

This crazy life...

2010-04-07T23:26:00.000-04:00

Oh, I have been so bad lately about keeping up with my blog. See, there's this crazy thing called life that seems to take up all my leisure time. Not that I am complaining - no, not one bit!

So....here it is...the official BEFORE shot of my kitchen. While it has come a LONG way from when we purchased (hello...20" range & 18" dishwasher), painting the cabinets, back splash and walls and adding new hardware should make my favorite room in the house even better. Can you SEE how excited I am???

Now...it's time some critical decisions...

#1 - What to do on the INSIDE of exposed cabinets

White (classic, but is this boring? or overkill with white dishes?)

Paneling...what do we think?

Bead board painted white and installed at the back of exposed cabinets/shelves might add some fun texture.

Color - love love love this idea, but I don't think I am brave enough. We are keeping our burgundy counter tops for now, and I have a fear of too many colors.

Other WHITE kitchen inspirations....

GORGEOUS!!!!

Spring & Summer Shopping Fever!

2010-03-22T09:28:00.000-04:00

It was 70 in Atlanta this weekend, and I officially have spring fever! (never mind the fact that there were snow flurries this morning!) I'm trying very hard to behave myself when it comes to shopping. Note that word...TRYING! That does not mean that I can't swoon over the fantastic clothing finds that I keep stumbling upon online. Here are a few of my current favs:

Love this top - from Anthropologie

It would look fabulous in the spring layered w/ a black or grey boyfriend blazer. In the summer, I would wear it with stark white jeans and chunky heels. Bring on the Summer Grill Out - I am so there.
The new Lands End Canvas line is wonderful - for both women and men. With "Canvas", Lands End finally gives us a more fitted, playful look. And you CANNOT beat the prices on their classic clothes!

It's hard to see from this pic...but the top is gingham ($44.50) and the bottom is just a simple, white poplin skirt ($49.50). If you are looking for some staples to add to your wardrobe...this is the place.

LOVE this b/w dot dress from kate spade. It would look perfect with my big black hat and some red lipstick. Hmm...Keeneland? The Derby??? Oh YES!

Hansel from Basel

2010-03-18T12:53:00.000-04:00

I have a new, quirky accessory lust: SOCKS

I know...sounds weird, but I am just loving over the knee socks with shorts, and colorful socks with heels. It looks so nerdy and hot!

I just discovered Hansel from Basel...they are a company out of LA that make whimsical socks and hosiery. The bad news: no small retailers in GA. The good news: they sell at stores in Chicago and also at Anthro and Barney's nation-wide.

How to wear them....

Black & White

2010-03-17T21:34:00.003-04:00

My two favorite colors...

And how beautiful is this table setting that I saw on
Style Me Pretty???

The all-white ranunculus and hydrangeas are dreamy.

I could settle in at this table
for a long evening with friends.

Amazing table and floral design by: atelier joya.
Photography by: Blonde Tulip.

Go Big Blue!

2010-03-13T16:27:00.000-05:00

Now THAT is how you do it! Loved watching the game today!

Oooooh...C-A-T-S - CATS, CATS CATS!