Inspire me!!

Just a quick post.. I've been scouring the internet, blogs and magazines for decorating inspiration. I may have a new decorating project on the horizon.. more details to come later. As I browse, I rip out pages and save pics on the computer for refrence.. thought I'd share some of these pics and maybe inspire some of you!! I have saved pics for so long, I can't give credit where credit is due, so if you see a pic that you recognize, i'd be glad to credit you with it!!  Happy looking and hopefully decorating!!

Feedsack Love

Feeling the feedsack love for sure... I just had to post about the love of feedsack fabrics. If only when we went to the market today, our dry goods were packaged in these great sacks, my grocery bill would be even more outrageous than it already is!! Can you imagine the time spent trying to decide which bag of flour or rice to pick?? ugh, I'd love it!!

google feedsacks or browse through flickr and look at all of the wonderful things people create with their feedsack finds... it's very inspirational!!

The patterns and colors will make you swoon!!

I thought I'd share some cute feedsack craft finds on Etsy.. like these feedsack covered buttons found here

And this cute feedsack pillow found here

And these coasters aren't the only things you'll want at this etsy store!!

Enjoy the hunt!!

Tables

This weekend I attended the festival of tables in Traverse City, Mi. It is a benefit luncheon for child and family services. Tables are decorated and displayed and tables and their contents are even raffled off. Two of the gals I went with each won table packages worth $3,000.00!!! Hopefully, I'll have that kind of luck next year!! Just thought I'd share some of the pic's I took while wandering around. Enjoy!!

I'm Greedy..

Ok.. so I've decided I'm greedy.. On Mother's Day, my husband took the kids to the park for a couple of hours so that I could have some mommy time alone. I decided to go out in the yard and cut myself a bunch of lilacs.. it got a little out of control, but I'm happy that I got greedy!! ( I even cut some from an empty house next door.. shhhh.. don't tell! )

My hose smells like a little old lady spilled her perfume when she walked in the door, but I don't are.. they look great and I put them all over, even in the bathrooms!! Here are some pic's of some of the vases I put them in. The lilacs will be gone before you know it, so I thought why not enjoy some indoors, rather than have to be outside my house to see them!!

Lilac's are one of my favorite flowers. Here in Northern Michigan there is one place that we like to visit each year and often take out of town guests toand it is a real treat if you have the chance to go.. Mackinac Island..

They have a Lilac festival every June. It is an island with no motor vehicles allowed, only horses and carriages and bikesand you have to take a ferry to got there. It is a beautiful place and it really feels like stepping back in time! It's big claim to fame is the movie, "Somewhere in Time" with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour.. if you haven't seen this movie, it is a MUST!! Netflix it and you won't be disappointed. The majority of that movie was filmed on the island and most Michiganders are familar with it.

So, if you're ever in Michigan, head up North and hit Mackinac Island.. it's a must see!!

I've been so inspired by my beautiful lilac's, I just may make some Lilac colored cupcakes and get greedy with them, too!!! :)

New Listings on Etsy!!

Just popping in for a quick update to let you know that I have been a busy bee and recently listed a few new items in my Etsy shop!! I'll be back soon with more updates on what I've been working on!!

Yum of the Irish!!

Just popping in to share a great St. Patty's day recipe with you!! Every March 17th, I serve the usual Corned beef and cabbage dinner.. I look forward to it each year, but another great irish recipe that I love to serve is Shepherds Pie!! I vary it depending on what I have on hand, but it is a great comfort food on a cold night! This recipe is particularly good with the Guiness.. mmmmm!! Hope you get a chance to try it. You won't be disappointed!! Following the recipe I have some pictures of decorating your home with touches of green. Hope they inspire you to getin touch with your irish side!! Happy St. Patricks day!!

Guiness Shepherd's Pie

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef

1/2 c. onion

1/2 c. diced carrots

2 t. minced garlic
1/4 c. Guiness stout

1/4 c. cabernet wine

3/4 c. beef broth

1 T. worcestershire sauce

1/4 t. each.. dried Basil, oregano, sage, marjoram

1 c. peas ( fresh or frozen )

2 T. butter

2 T. Flour

1/2 t. salt 1/2 t.pepper

Potato Topping ( Mashed Potatoes )

In a dutch oven, brown beef. Add onion ,carrot, garlic, wine, broth ,Guiness, w. sauce, and all of the dried herbs. Simmer until carrots are fork tender and then add peas. In another saucepan, melt butter and add flour to make a roux. Add roux tobeef mixture slowly to thicken sauce. continue to cook for 5-10 min. Add salt and pepper. Put mixture in large casserole dish. For the potato topping, make mashed potatoes to your liking. Many shepherd pie recipes vary this topping from simple mashed potatoes to mashed potatoes with white cheddar mixed in, herbs, cream cheese.. whatever tickles your fancy. I use just a simple mashed potato. Top your meat mixture with the mashed potatoes. If you are serving this to guests, you can pipe these on with a piping bag. Bake at 350 for 20- 30 min til potatoes are golden. Serve!!

A Fling with Spring!!

I am having a fling with spring!! I don't feel fully in that spring decor mode, but I am almos there, so I've decided it's a "fling"!! :) I have been going through my stored spring images as well as some I have found here and there and thought I'd share some pic's to get you inspring mode as well!! Maybe my next post will have some of my own personal spring decor to share.. Maybe.

I love this bucket of flowers in this kitchen. I know it's not truly a spring inspiration pic, but I love how just a few flowers reminds me that it is no longer winter!!

It's still cold enough for a cup of coffee or tea, but you should drink it in a spring mug for sure!!

Time to start planning those Easter eggs.. so many ideas!! And don't forget the outdoor decor!!