Last month I shared my finds from the Kane County Flea Market, which is held the first weekend of every month. I decided I would continue to share my treasures each month from the flea market revealing what I paid for each item. I always try to find a bargain but I’m sure there will…
One of my favorite decorating tricks is to bring fresh flowers into our farmhouse kitchen, dining room, and every other room under our metal roof! Last week the daffodils were in bloom and I brought a big bouquet of their sunshine inside. This week the flowerbeds are filled with bunches of blue … Virginia Bluebells,…
Some people think Illinois is flat and boring but I find special beauty in the country roads, prairies, corn fields, and big blue sky. Lucky for me, I live where the suburban roads of Chicago meet the country roads of Kane County so I get the best of both the town and country … thus…
Pets provide such joy and companionship, and when they leave us it’s never easy. I’ve had pets throughout my life. Some get sick and pass on before their time. Others stay with you for many years. Recently Donna at Funky Junk Interiors lost her beautiful black cat, Teddy. In honor of Teddy, she’s hosting a…
My love affair with old houses began when I was in high school. It was quite unexpected, really. I was working on a very important goal at the time … when I turned 16 I vowed to have a date every Saturday night until I graduated. That meant hair, make-up, and clothes were high on…
The first weekend of every month is flea market weekend in Kane County, Illinois and I try to never miss it! Hundreds of vendors are spread across the local fairgrounds and it takes a few hours just to walk past them all. Known as the best in the Midwest, the Kane County Flea Market never…
This week my blog is being featured on Hometalk, which is a site where homeowners, renters, and professionals share and help with home and gardening. I’ve shared several projects on their website and now I have the wonderful honor of being featured by them! They’ve sent me some questions to help you get to know me better. While I’m…
My oldest daughter Stephanie was married last June at the Hotel Baker in St. Charles and we’re just now getting the digital files of the photos. I shared photos of the wedding ceremony a couple blog posts ago and now it’s time to share a few photos from the reception. (All photos courtesy of Jolie…
Last June my oldest daughter Stephanie married her beau, Matt. And just this weekend we finally got the digital photo files! We’ve waited so long and I’m thrilled to be able to share them even though it’s months later. Rather than share all my fave photos at once, I’m dividing them into two blog posts….
Houseplants are easy to decorate with and when you mix in topiaries with their architectural presence, you can really pack a decorating punch in any room. Lately I’ve found myself drawn to greenery … some of my recent finds are more money than I’d like to spend and others are a bargain. Surprisingly, I don’t…
Don’t you love finding an easy recipe that turns out scrumptious the first time you make it? I found a tasty lasagna recipe that’s great for either lunch or dinner. Instead of laying out the lasagna noodles in a large pan, you roll them up and place them in muffin tins. The original recipe called…
It started in high school … my quest for the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe. I searched for a recipe that produced Mrs. Field type cookies. You know, chewy on the inside but with a little crunch on the outside. The Toll House cookie recipe left a bit to be desired, in my opinion. The…
A few blog posts ago I shared my love of French Macarons and since these little buggers can be expensive, I decided to try making my own. While researching recipes I read that not only are they expensive, but they can be tricky to make. Since my overall goal for 2013 is to step out…
For the most part, my kitchen is white. Some people think a white kitchen is cold, sterile, and even boring. In my opinion, a white kitchen looks clean, bright, and airy. Don’t get me wrong – I like kitchens with color in them. I just prefer to live with a white one so I can…
Although some people like to cozy up their homes with warmer colors during winter, I prefer the fresh, clean look of white. I think perhaps it’s because the world is frosty outside and I want some of that crisp and clear beauty inside. To keep things from appearing cold and sterile, I like to throw…
Do you have a sweet tooth? I sure do! While I normally fall all over anything chocolate, there’s one sweet little morsel that can turn my head anytime and pull me away from the decadent richness of chocolate. Le French Macaron! Image from www.squirrelbakes.com I love the delicate crunch of its exterior as your teeth…
