Art and ideas for creative living
Merry Christmas eve and happy winter solstice! As we dive deep into these dark winter days Dave and I live by twinkly light to remind us of springtime yet to come. It lights our spirits and helps keep our creative spirits alive. Part of my winter tradition is to light the exterior of our property… Continue reading Decking the halls and the walls and the tiniest of details. PART FOUR FINAL: Outside
Although we do more "living" in the rest of the house, this largest of our rooms is where our grandest Christmas tree and more over-the-top decorations live in this winter holiday season. The colors of our majolica collection in this room give a jumping off point for some unusual Christmas color themes, always, however, coordinating… Continue reading Decking the halls and the walls and the tiniest of places. PART THREE: the Living Room and hall
The center of our home is both literally and figuratively the kitchen. Besides being in the studio, the kitchen is my most favorite place to be. It's here where my creative nature takes hold and blend color and flavor to tickle our taste buds and add ceremony to our lives. In our reproduction Cape-style home… Continue reading Decking the halls and the walls and the tiniest of places. PART TWO: the center of the home
This year has been the year of birds in our household. David placed some of his charcoal-burnt-out bowls into my garden obliques to hold bird seeds. And what started as one small feeder has turned into many multi-stationed towers creating a live museum with birds of all sorts and a near full-time job for him.… Continue reading Decking the halls and the walls and the tiniest of places. PART ONE: The Keeping Room.
No doubt the kitchen is the center of our home and this time of year is self-decorated with all the specialties of the season. The stove top starts our day with fresh-ground, slow dripped coffee, in-between is baking bread & hand-prepping meals then ends at the butcher block with the pouring of a day-clearing beverage.… Continue reading Decking the halls. PART THREE: the Center of the Home.
The Keeping Room. A term from the 18th century that refers to the room nearest the warmth of the cook-in fireplace where the family activities took place. The is the room where David and I start and end each day, over coffee in the morning and a "beverage" each evening just before dinner. So this… Continue reading Decking the halls. PART TWO: The Keeping Room
Continuing the tradition...What started as creative entertainment for myself during an isolated Christmas in 2020, recording my Christmas decorations through this blog turned out to be a way to share the holiday with family and friends afar. So, again, enjoy this years inspired journey in 4 installments to see what my I can come up… Continue reading Decking the halls and the walls and the tiniest of places. PART ONE: Outside
The center of the home is where our heart lies, so they say. And in our home the kitchen is truly where all the action is. Since we spend so much time there, I always make sure it is dressed festively for the season because it lifts our spirits. Here are my creative twists on… Continue reading Decking the halls and the walls and the tiniest of places. PART FOUR: The center of the home.
The living room. Where we live? Actually we spend most of our time in our studios & kitchen but this room is where we live with some of our favorite collections while cozying up with a movie. This year I brought out new collections and Christmassized some of the older ones. Although I try… Continue reading Decking the halls and the walls and the tiniest of places. PART THREE: The living room
The Keeping Room. A term from the 18th century that refers to the room nearest the warmth of the cook-in fireplace where the family activities took place. Visit my Christmassy fireplace Keeping Room so see where we share our deepest conversations and keep our family memories warm and alive. With everything we all have gone… Continue reading Decking the halls and the walls and the tiniest of places. PART TWO: The keeping room
Magic. Its what we all want with winter holidays. And this year more than ever we need it! So follow my decorating journey this month to see what I can come up with to make this life of isolation a month of joy. Todays post; outside of my home during a snow storm. My chosen… Continue reading Decking the halls and walls and the tiniest of places. PART ONE: Outside
I started making English-style chutneys years ago because they are such a versatile condiment. Both savory and sweet, both tangy and complex, to my palette they are a great touch of umami to be used with any dish. My daughter and I worked out this Holiday version when she was just 11 years old. We… Continue reading Cranberry Orange Chutney
As David said, it wasn't cold enough in New Hampshire so we headed north to Montreal, Canada last week for a few days of snowy Christmas-y-ness in the historic old city. Cold it was—2º one morning—but walking in it added to the charm, invigorated one's spirits and burnt off a lot of calories! Let me… Continue reading Art and light of Christmas Montreal
In case ANYONE is checking their emails today, Merry Christmas from my place to yours! Here is a last-minute recipe for amazingly delicious cheese spread made from left over bits in just a couple of minutes. Enjoy! LAST MINUTE CHEESE SPREAD Soften all cheeses to room temperature or microwave until soft. Blend all ingredients together… Continue reading Merry Christmas last minute cheese spread!
This was our Christmas tree two years ago. David was inspired by its quirky shape so, wanting to keep it in the window (where the piano was!), he cut it in half giving the illusion that the tree was growing out of the piano! This was arguably the best tree we have ever had. Christmas… Continue reading Merry Christmas color theory