Anthropologie

Went to Atlanta this weekend and of course I could not pass up the opportunity to shop. I went to IKEA and spent so money for an upcoming project. I also went to Lenox Mall and shopped Anthropologie. I took pictures of things I loved and things I can copy and make a lot cheaper. Here are some features.
Call it a store tour if you will!

I love the flowers on the trellis. They are made of paper and clear tape for the stems. Behind it is a starburst wall hanging of paper funnels.

Fabric letters

Metal Letters and I love the pail too!

Beautiful old doors

Old ladders and cool fabrics

Book page lampshade to go with my book page art

I see a Knock off day in my future. What about you? Do you have a knock off to share? Post a picture here.
All you have to do is follow me and leave a comment. Have fun! Can't wait to see what you got!

My obsession

Ok I have an obsession with a lot of things but I have to say I really love pears. The shape and colors just does it for me!
Things just keep popping up looking the same.

and I don't mind it because they look good anywhere......

I like to put them on a shelf in a collection or in a bowl on a table.....

I like them in a picture or a painting.....hmmmm Note to self: I need to paint these!

The problem with liking things a lot is that you really can't tell anyone or you will end up with a colony of them LOL. So don't tell OK!

What is your obsessive pieces in your home? Leave me a comment!!!

Eggplant Parmesan

As you probably figured out by now, I am Italian. I love just about every Italian dish out there. I have to say my family does too and they love when I cook it.

One recipe that is to die for is Eggplant Parmesan. It is a nice vegetarian dish also. If you have never tried eggplant try it now. The recipe follows.

Marinara
1 can crushed tomatoes
2 Tab Olive Oil
3 cloves crushed garlic
2 Tab chopped fresh basil

Pour olive oil in pan on med. add garlic and cook till starting to brown add crushed tomatoes and fresh basil cook for 20 min.

2	med-large eggplants, peeled
2	cups Italian Breadcrumbs
1/2	cup grated Parmesan
1	cup all purpose flour
6	large eggs
12	ounces shredded mozzarella cheese or sliced fresh
6	Tablespoons grated Parmesan
Olive oil as needed for frying

PREPARATION:

1. Cut eggplant into 1/4" rounds. Salt liberally and allow to weep set in colander for one hour. Press eggplant dry between paper or tea towels.
2. Preheat oven to 375° Lightly oil a shallow glass or ceramic 9" x 13" baking dish and cover bottom with a layer of marinara sauce. Combine breadcrumbs with the half cup parmesan in a pie plate. Set up 3 bowls with flour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs.
3. Heat a large skillet medium-high. Pour in enough oil to come 1/4" up the sides. Dredge eggplant in flour, tapping off excess, then egg, dripping excess into plate. Coat in crumbs. Fry in hot oil, adjusting heat accordingly, until golden brown on each side. Set cooked eggplant to drain on paper towel. Lightly salt one side of the eggplant.
4. Place an overlapping layer of eggplant in the sauced baking dish. Sprinkle on two tablespoons of parmesan. Ladle over another layer of sauce. Cover with a layer of mozzarella. Repeat layer of eggplant, parmesan, sauce, mozzarella, and finish with two more tablespoons of parmesan.
5. Bake until cheese is hot and bubbling and dish is hot throughout, approximately 20-30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Fun Finds

I love shopping at thrift stores, yard sales and antique shops. I think it is the thrill I get when I find a deal. There is an adrenaline rush when I find that perfect object for my home and it isn't expensive but looks like it.

The weather has just started getting better and I know there will be sales popping up on every corner soon. In the meantime I have had some luck with early bird sales and antique shops. I have been looking for something I can redo or add to my entryway, where, by the way, my hutch is getting repainted. Pictures to be on here soon.

These are some of the fun finds I got. Let me know what you think.

shutter 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the front and back of an old cottage shutter. I love the chippy paint and the color. Did you notice the center? You know how I am about stars because of my daughter so how could I resist this!

This mirror was only $25 and I think it was a steal. It is long and narrow would look great in my entryway but I am not sure yet where it will go.

I got two of these lamps for only $30. I am thinking about painting them and changing out the shades. They are in my sunroom and I think they would look better lighter. They have great bones though. Another project!

This little architectural piece is iron. I love the scroll work and at only $3 it was a great piece for my bedroom. I love it and it is different. I like having original art and odd pieces hanging in my home. Something no one else has when you visit their house.

Can't wait for the sales to start.....I wonder what fun find will come my way?

Mixed Media

I love all kind of art. I have done a lot of different things from murals to signs, from acrylic to mixed media. Each one is a form to create a mood or a message. Each person relates different to them.

My new piece is a mixed media canvas. Titled "Spring"

Spring

This is the new addition to the mixed media group.

I want to take a moment while we are talking about mixed media, and thank The Feathered Nest for her introduction on her blog today. She is a talented artist of mixed media. Go check her out. http://the-feathered-nest.blogspot.com

Chocolate Dipped Milano and Zabaglione

  

 We had a quite Valentine's Day with a wonderful meal of Filet Mignon that I cooked to surprise my husband. It was his birthday and being from the south his birthday "cake" in always homemade banana pudding. Since his mom made him some the day before I decided to do something different. I made these easy chocolate dipped cookies and Zabaglione. I nice Italian dessert. I think it was a hit! He loved it!

The cookies were made by using a double boiler and melting chocolate. I bought some Milano cookies original and mint and dipped them in the chocolate and then in the Valentine Non-pareils to coat. They made a pretty plate and it was quick, easy and delicious.

The Zabaglione was scrumptious too! It was hard to find nice strawberries though but all in all it was still delicious.

Zabaglione Recipe: by Buddy Valastro

INGREDIENTS

Strawberries:
1	pint beautiful strawberries, trimmed and sliced lengthwise
2	Tablespoons sugar
3	Tablespoons sweet Marsala wine

Combine the strawberries and sugar in a medium saucepan. Turn heat to medium and allow the berries to cook,  until the berries exude juices and begin to soften. Add the Marsala, raise heat to bubble off some of the alcohol. Remove from heat -- you want to stop before the berries turn to mush. There should be a nice combination of berries and juices in the pot. Reserve while preparing the zabaglione.

Zabaglione

8	large egg yolks (organic best)
1/4	cup plus two tablespoons sugar
1	Tablespoon sweet Marsala wine
1	Tablespoon of the strawberry juice
1	pint heavy cream, whipped to soft peaks
1	Tablespoon sugar
4	beautiful strawberries for garnish

1. Set up a double boiler, bottom chamber heated to lowest simmer.
2. Off the heat, with a balloon whisk, whip together the yolks and sugar in the upper bowl of the double boiler until very well emulsified and beginning to lighten in color. Place bowl over the simmering water and continue whisk/whip the eggs, nonstop as they begin to froth and further lighten in color. Slowly add in the marsala as you continue to whip and incorporate completely. Ladle in some of the juices from the pot of strawberries 1 tablespoon just to infuse the mixture with berry flavor.
3. I know -- your arm is sore -- but keep whipping, removing the bowl for a moment if the mixture looks like it is getting to hot -- you don’t want the eggs to scramble. The zabaglione is finished when the mixture is thick, rich and silken in texture -- it should ribbon from the whisk when lifted from the bowl approximately 7-10 minutes.
4. Place bowl on the counter and give a few more turns with the whisk to cool it down a bit. Fold in a nice dollop of the whipped cream to lighten; fold in remaining whipped cream.
5. In four stemmed martini, wine or coupe glasses, ladle in portions of the strawberries and their juices. Spoon the zabaglione over the berries. Top each with a whole fanned strawberry.

Valentine's Day

The day of love! I believe Valentine's Day is for everyone. Call me a hopeless romantic but that's what I believe. You don't have to have a partner to enjoy this day but you do have to have love in your heart. Sharing love is what is celebrated today.

I am very lucky to have love in my life. It starts out with the man I met 29 years ago and today happens to be his birthday. Happy Birthday Honey! Although we have had our ups and downs love kept us together. From the moment I saw him I was in love and it is that bond that has kept us together. I don't take it for granted. It takes work. But I love being able to hold his hand and know it is real.

My two children come next. My son was the first, a love that can never be explained. A love for a child is the deepest purest love of all. From the minute he was born he has been a light in my life. I had five years with him before his sister was born. He was amazing, smart, and funny....he still is!  We were together always. I didn't think I could ever love another. I was wrong.

Then came my little girl. Love of a mother and daughter. Her laugh and silliness that keeps "happy" lingering in a room. She is my sunshine that lights up a room, a star that shines brightly in my life. So many gifts! . A love that is so strong. Two children...so much love to share. How lucky am I? Will they ever know how much I love them?

It is amazing to me that God has given us the ability to feel so much love and I am so grateful for it. It doesn't stop there because I feel I have so many friends and family that have blessed my life with love also.

So on this Valentine's Day I celebrate all the love in my life! I hope it can be a celebration for you too. I leave you with this something special from my son that I have saved for over 20 years. Now this is LOVE!

and my favorite poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.