Scattering Lupines

i'm taking an indefinite hiatus......

2011-03-01T08:44:00.001-05:00

(image via)

I am going on sabbatical from Blogland.

I've been debating this decision for awhile. I enjoy my morning blogging, but it does take a lot of time and I feel if I'm going to keep going, it needs to be with more of a mission. Plus, there are some other things I've wanted to pursue for awhile.

And then the decision was forced on me. I recently got a new job (I wasn't looking, but it's so perfect I couldn't turn it down), as well as an offer to be part of a committee developing a new Early Literacy project for the community...

and I'm still in school full time with a Thesis due in April. I must say, it's a lot to juggle. But since I enjoy it all so much and everything fits so perfectly into my career plans, it's worth the frozen dinners I'm feeding Husband and the weekend hours spent at the library catching up.

And giving up the blog for awhile.

If you want to know when the blog starts back up, email me at
scatteringlupinesblog@gmail.com

And for old times' sake,

-On my way out, I thought I'd share the most interesting hammock I've ever seen. You won't believe the price: $35,000 for the whole set-up. For a hammock. But it is innovative.

-The image above is from a movie party in a barn. I love the hay bale stadium seating.

-A great pair of spring/summer shoes.(At a much better price than yon hammock!)

-How to use your old phone books (yes, like The Real Yellow Pages!)

-So smart. I keep twine (for wrapping male gifts, especially) but it is rather a pain to store.

-The next time I bake a fun cake, it will be this one. Who would have thought? Chocolate would be good, too.

-It never dawned on me to look this up, but they're all on my weekend "movie" list now.

Thank you for reading!
It's been fun, and I hope to be back once time allows...

no photos (and other links)

2011-02-18T15:34:00.000-05:00

That's right. There's no photo. And I had a truly awesome one to share. It was a photo of a stack of flour sacks in a restaurant we recently dined in. The sacks read: Hi-Gluten Flour.

But my computer just got purged and the pictures weren't saved like I thought they were. Hoorah for people who remember to double-check. Boo for me. I had a lot of pictures I really wanted... so I'm not going to think about them scattered as fragmented dust mites in the depths of my hardrive.

Clean start for a beautiful day. That's what I'll think about instead :)

I spent little time this week blog-surfing. We've (almost completely) defeated the cold and flu virus.... so here's what I found to share with you in between sneezes, though you've likely already seen most of them...

LINKS for your weekend:

-Ultimately feminine (though slightly pricey for my budget) rain boots!

-Martha's ideas for adult-themed birthday parties (yet still G-rated)!

-And another idea from Martha's team: custom, personalized cake candles. So clever.

-I must be into parties this week. Here's an easy DIY for unique-ifying crepe paper streamers. And matching party hats, too!

I hope you enjoyed!!!

kuhfoozle books and soft happy pillows

2011-02-16T09:08:00.001-05:00

Thank you for visiting me on Valentine's Day! I enjoyed your comments...

Aren't these pillows cheerful? I can't imagine how long it takes her to cut and stitch those blitheful birds. Considering the work and tiny craftsmanship, her prices are very reasonable. She has so many designs. I love her owls, birds on a wire, birds in a tree, and her fantastic kites that sing SPRIIIIIING at the tops of their linen-threaded lungs.

The bubonic plague (a.k.a. Cold and Flu virus) has hit our house. So until I can muster up an unfoggied brain and get back on track, I'll likely be absent from blogland. I kind of like the challenge of seeing how long it will take us to knock it out-- it's hopefully the closest I'll ever get to battle :)

Until then, here's a great project to consider while in bed with a thermometer or walking about in perfect health:

SF Girl By Bay shared her inspiration journals where she keeps all the images from magazines and elsewhere that inspire her. I'm thinking of setting up my recipe journals like this-- with more photos and relics on each page with recipes we love. I can see it now: a bright, colorful journal for poultry, pork, beef, fish, shellfish, cakes, cookies, soups, sandwiches, salads....

It seems you could make one of these no matter your hobby or career. From sewing to marketing. I could even do it for my career: reading intervention and children's literature. Or story inspiration. Hmmm....

Side Inkle: (According to spell check, I made up quite a few words in this post! Hoorah for new words! Maybe I could make a "New & Improved Words" inspiration book! Kuhfoozle would be a great one to start with. What could Kuhfoozle mean? Delirious from decongestants?)

Have a great week, folks...

valentine's day activities

2011-02-14T14:52:00.003-05:00

-I just paid a stack of bills and sent them off in the mail tacked with heart stickers. I hope Duke Energy, AT&T, and the County Tax Collector appreciate them :)

-I also hope the County Tax Collector reads my Post-It note reminding him about our 2010 tax refunds, now that he's collecting for 2011. It has a heart sticker on it, too.

-I woke up this morning to a box of Belgian Chocolate Thins. They're thin as potato chips and oh so good. And they're almost gone. And I feel a bit lethargic and nauseated. And I think these conditions could be related...

-The Camellias in our yard bloomed this weekend. Just in time for today. No need for overpriced February florals in this house!

-Did you see these CUTE downloadable cards and matching coffee cup wrappers? Good heavens, they're fun... and free!

-Tonight, I'm giving Husband a delicious meal of Balsamic-Glazed Beef Filet and Roasted Asparagus with a rich Red Pepper Sauce. Both will take under an hour to prepare. Both are highly ranked by our tastebuds. If you need something to make for your beloved Other, I suggest this combo.

-It's so warm and beautiful here. I have all the doors and windows wide open. It's nice to hear birds and noises from the construction next door and the school playground a block away. How long will it last, I wonder.

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope it's lovely in every way....

stylish out of context (and other links)

2011-02-11T06:02:00.004-05:00

This image showed up on a "stylish" Bohemian blog and totally cracked me up. It looks like a real backroad scene from Alabama (where I'm from) or South Carolina (where I currently live). Would they think it was so stylish in that context? I hope so. It's culture. I love culture.

And since it's Friday (woohoo!),

Links for your Weekend:

-An interesting perspective on landscape art

-I'm thinking of starting a collection like this

-We wouldn't need these conversation starters at our dinner table. We often sit talking way past the last bite. But I would use the idea for a small dinner party instead-- one where the guests don't know each other very well. Or better yet, one where they do.

-Not your traditional Valentine's messages

-Use this idea on February 27

-Great idea for globe trotters

-How about this for Saturday morning brunch? I'm in.

-Check out this kitchen makeover.

-Do you ever see an exquisite trio of plates an antique store and think, But what would I do with just three matching plates? I do. All the time. Apparently, someone else does too.

-For the perfect party cheese tray (it even tells you exactly what to shop for!)

-For some reason, I just like knowing this place exists. See more photos here.

Have a great weekend!
And thank you for reading.

I love reading your comments. I love seeing you on my sitemeter. You're the bestest folks :)

just being audrey

2011-02-10T06:34:00.000-05:00

Just Being Audrey went on sale January 25. So you could easily say it's fresh off the press. Illustrator Julia Denos did a phenomenal job capturing Audrey's stylish grace and charm.

I've had such fun clicking through her portfolio and perusing her blog.

there's something sprouting on your neck

2011-02-09T08:48:00.003-05:00

I'm not sure how well it would survive hanging from my neck as I can be a bit clamorous in my movements (note: that doesn't say glamorous), but I can picture these hung along a rustic strand of white lights or from the ceiling on long, transparent lines during a festive meal.

They can be used as tiny planters or flower vases.

Such a unique idea.
What would you do with it?

housekeeping resiliency

2011-02-08T18:00:00.001-05:00

Don't you just love finding new uses for common objects? Not that shotglasses are common in our house... but you get the picture ;)

our service soiree complete

2011-02-07T16:31:00.002-05:00

On Saturday, our dining room was converted into a Valentine factory.

In case you missed the planning post, we invited friends to casually drop in on Saturday evening to make homemade Valentines, mingle,and enjoy dessert and champagne. All the Valentines will be taken to a local children's home and women's emergency shelter.

About 16 people "dropped in" to contribute.

To set up, we completely covered the dining room table with newspaper and taped it down with painter's tape, hung Valentines on a twine "garland" in the window to dry, and spread the supplies down the center of the table for easy access.

Our list of recipients included lots of women and little girls-- definitely the easiest gender to create Valentines for. You just have to pursue one of these goals: pretty, colorful, dainty, sparkly.

But the elementary-high school boys on the list were a little more challenging.

For those, we ended up pulling from history, nature, and sports magazines (one of our neighbor's ideas). We tried to glue fun facts and short articles into their Valentines. The Smithsonians' monthly feature on "This Month in History" provided a lot of concise fun-fact fillers.

After everyone left, Husband and I sat flipping through the Valentines. The two pewter buckets that started the evening stark empty were brimming with over 100 homemade messages for lonely, neglected individuals we will likely never meet. Each of these cards will go to someone no different in biological makeup than ourselves but whose life has unfolded so differently. I hope these cards can bring them joy, even if just a little.

As we sat considering the profound implications of having new friends (people we've known for less than a year) respond so openly and joyfully to such a bizarre invitation simply because they want to help whenever the opportunity arises, we felt the full impact of the words,

Our cups [or pewter buckets] runneth over
with goodness and joy and all the blessings of fellowship and service.

Thank you to everyone who helped Share the Love for this project! It was fun, productive, and altogether sweet ;)

Now, if only I could stop eating these leftover sweets for breakfast, lunch, and dinner...

For the dessert table, we served:

Lemon-Cream Sandwich Cookies

Dark Chocolate-Raspberry Cake Balls (recipe to come)

and Red Velvet Cheesecake Squares

indoor yard games (and weekend links)

2011-02-04T08:10:00.003-05:00

Who says it has to be pretty outside for yard games?

Links for your Weekend:

-What a party! How fun would it be to make each birthday celebration a different city or cultural theme? No Ennui for sure!

-Hardware knock-off alternatives

-Snow day at the beach!

-What a fun Valentine's surprise this would be... for any age!

-A homemade version of the mass-produced classic!

-Let it rain.

-And the hat that matches

Come back next week for a report on our Valentine's party... and a unique (easy!) treat to share with those you find particularly sweet.

Flavor preview: fresh raspberries

how to be neighborly

2011-02-03T08:44:00.004-05:00

Our neighbors define neighborly.

Miss E rarely bakes without bringing us a sampling. She'll hand it to me with a comment like, "I just didn't want you to think I hadn't done anything today."

This week was no exception. She showed up on our doorstep with this antique china cakestand full of little Orange Cakes. Frankly, I would have delivered them on a paper plate or maybe even wrapped in aluminum foil. But not Miss E. She goes the whole nine yards.

I knew at first glance that these little gems would melt on contact with tastebuds.

Luckily, Miss E had the foresight to know the next words out of my mouth would be, "May I have the recipe?" So before I could ask she was reaching into her pocket to pull out a handwritten copy saying, "I thought you might want the recipe."

So neighborly.

To make Orange Cakes like Miss E's:

Use a recipe like this. Then soak 1.5 cups raisins in the juice of one fresh orange for at least 30 minutes. Spread the soaked raisins evenly across the bottom of your pan and pour the prepared batter over them.

Miss E says it's best to let them sit for a day to fully absorb the orange flavor. "But," she says, "that's if you can keep your hands off them until then. We never can."

And Husband and I couldn't either.

a service soiree

2011-02-02T09:16:00.005-05:00

(Image via Everyday Musings' Dinner Party )

We're having a party on Saturday, and part of the preparation includes calling local shelters and children's homes.

Guests have been invited to casually drop in for a visit. We'll have dessert, champagne, and a spread of paper, fabric, string, and glue for making homemade Valentines.

There are countless options for this sort of party. The tone can be kid-friendly and casual or fetching and elegant .

It could include:

-your immediate household (like a family night activity)

-your children and their friends

-your coworkers
-your book club

-your neighbors

-one or two other couples or families

-or a gathering of a dozen or more people filtering through

If you'd like to join me in this, simply:

-call one or more local children's services, shelters, hospitals, or nursing homes to find out how many Valentines they will need and when they would like them dropped off

-pick a few simple desserts to display on a buffet table

-mix up a pitcher of red punch or just serve champagne with frozen raspberries floating on top

-gather together lots of paper, doilies, glue, and scissors
-Cover your dining room table with newspaper, lay out the supplies, hang some bunting, and play old-time jazz music
-Invite people to drop in between a specified time (such as Saturday between 5 and 10 p.m.)

The point is to bring people together to make pretty, handmade Valentines for those who are lonely or down.

If you want to help but don't want to throw your own party,

email me at scatteringlupinesblog@gmail.com.

We'll talk about how you can simply make a Valentine (or ten!) and mail them to me.

two ways to organize your kitchen

2011-02-01T10:29:00.000-05:00

Label transparent glass storage jars by letter-etching the labels. It just looks so neat and clean, doesn't it?

Tutorial, photo, and idea found here.

As for the storage jars, I have these from Ikea. I love them because they're inexpensive and durable (according to all the times I've dropped them and they haven't shattered... and the lids have clung on amid the impact). The lids are also attached, which makes cooking somehow more orderly. You don't waste time trying to re-match and locate lids during the post-mixing clean-up. Plus, they just look good.

Now, are you ready for the simplest idea ever?

Store plastic grocery bags in empty paper towel and wrapping paper tubes.

This has been a major space-saver for our pantry. Plus, it gives those empty rolls another purpose before they're recycled. It's like thrice recycling.

Idea via Cooks Illustrated (i.e. the-best-magazine-ever)

weekend recap

2011-01-31T09:12:00.001-05:00

(blurry group photo that my boots are trying to monopolize)

I hope the weather was as beautiful where you all were as it was here this weekend. I spent two hours reading on our tiny deck in the warm sunshine yesterday and wore a light knit shirt and linen scarf to an Oyster Roast in the late afternoon. It feels so much like the most perfect mid-spring weather-- I'm just waiting for the next cold front to sweep in and remind me that it's February.

My brother and (we hope) future sister-in-law visited this weekend. And I'm proud to report, my Gluten-Free studies were fruitful! We had a tasty meal when they arrived, and I got the stamp-of-approval for having done accurate research :) It was something I needed to learn more about anyway, as many of my students have been on Gluten-Free diets to help their focus and OCD tendencies. I was also impressed with the Bisquick Gluten-Free mix. We made peach pancakes with Chai Tea syrup in honor of the beautiful weather, and while the batter was a bit gritty, I could hardly tell the difference once they were cooked.

As for Bethany, she had to deal with me setting the smoke alarm off more than once, nearly chopping my finger off (and I'm still not positive the zucchini didn't have a piece of my finger in it), playing show-and-tell with my favorite picture books, Husband and I either meeting them late or making them late everywhere we went, Khan's overwhelming energy, and my brother's shenanigans, which I suppose she's used to by now.

She is the most pleasantly tolerant person I've met, not to mention one of the most interesting. She's opinionated yet gracious; intelligent yet down-to-earth. She has taught English in China for 7 years and is currently in Tibet for the majority of the year. Hearing about the culture and politics from her angle was fascinating. I'm not very sophisticated (though I'm trying) and didn't even know until Friday night that Mandarin Chinese is communicated mainly through intonations of the voice. The same word has very different meanings, depending on how you say it. It makes me think of a story we were told recently about a woman who could convey thousands of messages simply through the way she said the word, Well. Apparently, all of the Chinese are that adept at communicating through voice control.

Did I mention we really like Bethany? Jack better act quickly. As it goes, Jack be nimble, Jack be quick :)

The weekend was perfect in my opinion-- with the ideal balance of together time with personal time, silliness with seriousness, and antics that were questionably unsafe though not fatally dangerous. If I could change anything, I would have turned the smoke alarm off and let Husband chop the vegetables.

Thank you for visiting us, Bethany and Jack!

We enjoyed you both thoroughly and appreciate the time tremendously.

a canning glow (and other links)

2011-01-28T06:59:00.004-05:00

A lamp like this just hollers
weekend-away-with-an-old-classic-and-a-good-view-out-your-window.

(Somehow I feel when you string together words with hyphens, it's like creating a single adjective. Agree or no?)

I'm currently cramming for the gluten-free test.

We're having company this weekend-- and one has a gluten allergy.

So while I cram for the test every rookie cook must face sooner or later, here are

like a silk brocade on the desert floor (a lesson in garam masala)

2011-01-27T08:11:00.000-05:00

For supper last night, we tried the Indian Butter Chicken that made Katie Goodman's (of The Good Life Eats) top five favorite dishes list.

In the process, I learned about the basic Indian spice blend Garam Masala. It basically translates an intense, pungent mixture. Not spicy hot; spicy intense. Not fiery like a pepper; but pungent like a dozen silk sarees against a dirt wall. It has a piquancy both delicate and bold. Flavors that would totally interrupt the dish if they didn't fit it like a fine glove.

The spices in this blend can vary from black & white peppercorns, cloves, Malabar leaves, long pepper, cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, star anise, and coriander

depending on the region and the cook.

We bought the McCormick brand, since that's all our little South Carolina grocer had to offer. It was delicious, but I imagine it was also a bit culturally appropriated so as not to shock my all-American tastebuds. I'm sure the most authentic versions can get downright racy.

Find the recipe here.

(I used Canola Oil Butter to keep it less cholesterol-ridden, and Husband gave it the I-can't-tell-you-lightened-it stamp of approval.)

a new look

2011-01-26T10:52:00.001-05:00

I love this illustration by Peaceful Forest.

In case you were wondering, the results of this blog's survey were:

Most people want:

-Daily posts

-Moderate length

-Posts about personal life and creative ideas

(with half wanting recipes in the mix as well)

It was a tie between:

-More pictures than text, long posts, very brief posts

-Posts about personal life and creative ideas

Very few people want:

Multiple posts a day

No one wants:

Only weekly posting

Lots of text with few images (which is kind of what I'm doing right now...)

I must say, I'm ecstatic y'all are actually interested in my personal life! I mean, I think our life is pretty wonderful, but I sometimes fear sharing it will verge on:

(a.) narcissism or

(b.) redundancy

I'll try to share more. Thank you for your interest :)

As for changes,
I'm changing the name to Scattering Lupine's No Ennui.

I feel that it fits my life focus better-- it has become my mantra! It means (literally) No Boredom. To me, boredom means apathy, which Ellie Wiesel said is the most dangerous of outlooks. His words were, "What is indifference? Etymologically, the word means 'no difference.'"

No Ennui is about continually striving to positively improve, learn, produce, and become.
Even if some of it is mere (and seemingly superficial) aesthetics.

I'm also changing the subject categories to verbs. They're not fully updated yet.

I hope to continually improve the new banner as well, updating it seasonally.
I'd love your reactions...

knack now

2011-01-25T07:04:00.002-05:00

Do you have only one earring you can't seem to toss?

A broken bauble?

Cracked Pottery or china?

If you're like me, you have a whole basket of broken dishes and randomness just waiting on a DIY knight in shining armor, a spare moment on the clock, or a wave of creative brilliance to come along and rescue it from the shards bin...

(I actually have one and a half drawers FULL of pretty things I've broken labeled "Future Mosaics")

Here's one idea-charming:

Use it to make magnets from junk, just like Barb from Knack.

(I think you could also use it to make hardware for the jewelry pegboard.)

Now, if only I could find something to do with derelict socks...

(Image via Knack's Etsy shop)

lightbulb flower vases (and other links)

2011-01-21T05:15:00.026-05:00

I would love to spend an afternoon making a trio of these Lightbulb Vases!

Believe it or not, it's a very simple DIY project.

fresh cherry sandwiches

2011-01-20T12:49:00.000-05:00

Sliced Brie

Fresh Cherries

Baby Spinach Leaves

Toasted Almond Slivers

Multi-Grain Sourdough Bread

All pan-grilled until the spinach wilts just slightly, the brie melts, and the bread toasts to a nice, clean surface crisp.

The best winter sandwich ever.

the giveaway has been drawn!

2011-01-20T12:20:00.003-05:00

And the winner is....

Congratulations, Michelle! Have fun picking out your painting....

Thanks everyone for playing!

giveaway drawing delayed...

2011-01-19T19:43:00.001-05:00

The giveaway drawing was supposed to be tonight, but since this day ran through my fingers at the rate of lightning, it's being extended until tomorrow...

Go here to enter.

This little painting would cheer ANY room!

the mastery of carpentry

2011-01-19T07:39:00.003-05:00

When I think of carpentry, I think of Jesus, Joseph, and Whitman's words, "The carpenter dresses his plank, the tongue of his foreplane whistles its wild ascending lisp" from Song of Myself. And did you know Harrison Ford once worked as a carpenter?

I also think of the bear statues on sale at various roadside shops throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains... and of expensive, custom-made cabinetry.

The carving and sanding of wood is as much an art as the sculpting of marble. The difference lies in the cultural interpretation (and thus value) placed on each.

One is rustic; the other ornate.
One is humble; the other luxurious.
One is austere; the other lavish.

Yet, is it really so?

Peg and Awl's shop of rustic items made from reclaimed wood is a beauty for perusing. I hope to see that swing hanging from a huge oak tree in my (future) yard someday.

They do such ~~humble~~ luxurious work :)

music and the human soul

2011-01-18T10:00:00.001-05:00

"... to ask, What is art?, What is poetry?, What is music? is one way of asking What is a human being?"

-Michael Mayne, This Sunrise of Wonder

Ah me, so true. As I organize myself to start spring semester full-force tomorrow-- and prepare to spend a lot of time in this chair, staring at this computer screen, here are some songs speaking to my core, reminding me in their diverse rhythms and lyrics what it is to be alive and full of aspiration and enjoying it all:

Frankly Mr. Shankly by Oslo Swan

Electric Boy by Lili Ster

Groove Me by King Floyd

Hallelujah by Astrazz

La Mar by The Beautiful Girls

Dreamcatcher by Secret Garden

Umbrella by PV Nova

Folding Chair by Regina Spektor

Lucky by Colbie Caillat and Jason Mraz

Let the Music Play by Robert Earl Keen

P.S. The Giveaway ends tomorrow. Go here to enter

weekend recap

2011-01-17T07:52:00.002-05:00

The snow and ice finally started to melt from Greenville, SC yesterday. It was almost 60 degrees outside, so it was dripping from every roof and tree, making it sound like a small, rushing stream around our house.

Snow in the South is a paradox of good and bad. We love the novelty-- yet the novelty also makes it a pain. We only had one day of "fun" snow, then it was just treacherous, debilitating ice that the city didn't seem to have the equipment or the know-how to deal with.

It seems like a town in the foothills would be better prepared for snow-- they only cleared it from a handful of roads and didn't clear that very well. It quickly turned to ice, which they didn't bother to sand. So, the roads remained like ice skating rinks for the better part of four days. I even slipped on the ice on our road and bruised my thigh (I'll spare you an image).

In the full scope, this is how it went:

The snow came early Monday morning, and by Thursday the grocery stores were practically out of food. I almost fought a lady for the last red bell pepper :)

We couldn't drive anywhere without seeing someone skidding over ice or spinning into a 360 off into a ditch. It was like Armageddon in Greenville. Even Starbuck's was closed until Thursday. Starbucks. Come on, really? Plus, the downside of business being shut down for days means bored employees end up imbibing during their heaped-up free time. One of them showed up on our doorstep wanting more gas for her car-- and smelling like an opened bottle of gin. Needless to say, we showed her to a safe place to wait for a ride.
It was all a little ridiculous.

Many others, however, embrace the snow in wondrous ways. All those in the city who own four-wheelers and golf carts road throughout the town in packs, enjoying the snow-covered parks, roads, and fields.

People circles around the golf courses at night with their carlights shining on the hills so children could sled.

It makes me wonder if Greenville DOES know how to handle snow-and-ice covered roads... but they choose the unplanned holiday instead. "Oh well," everyone says. "Snow day!" And next thing you know, responsible parents have morphed into children and career-oriented employees into sidewalk drunks. I love the energy of it all, but I'm very glad things are stabilizing in this celebratory little town.

We've enjoyed looking at Husband's favorite house across the street:

and my favorite house-- which happens to be most of them-- including these from my dog-walking route:

On Saturday, we went for a short flight with our neighbor to look at what was left of the snow. We may not own a four-wheeler, but we DO have a neighbor-friend with a plane and pilot's license ;)

I especially loved the view of the bare foothill forests and the shadows from the tall trees falling across the snow.

And of course the view of the lake-- with all the islands, inlets, and the banks plunging down into the depths of the water. It's fascinating to see the topographical formations of water and land from the aerial perspective. Oddly enough, on commercial flights I don't notice it as much. Probably because they fly too high to identify the world below.

As for the rest of our weekend, it included a perfect balance of socializing, rest, and learning.

We:

-Had dinner guests for Husband's famous, secret chowder (and they agreed: it's fame-worthy)

-Went for a run

-Went out to a Tapas joint with new friends (and Tapas make Husband very irritable! So little food...)

-Facilitated our Sunday School class on Luke 3. It was a fantastic marital experience. It made us research and plan together in a way we don't often experience. We had to get on the same page, research, reconvene, research more, then rendezvous again to organize. And after all that, the class participants were so smart and enthusiastic we barely had to say a word and only shared about a fourth of our research. A truly humbling and exciting experience.

Then we:

-Enjoyed French Press at our favorite brunch cafe while debriefing our Sunday School experience

-Took a long nap

-And took Khan to play at a local University. He hates the big seesaw, but Husband says it's good trust-discipline for him.

How was your weekend?

art-worthy jewelry organizer and other links

2011-01-14T10:10:00.012-05:00

This is simply brilliant! It's like turning your jewelry into art.

A pegboard, fun hardware, a museum-style frame...

This one will take time to come together, as it will require perusing thrift stores and flea markets for just the right pieces at just the right prices. But what FUN in the end result??? I'd love to display the necklace Husband gave me like this....

As for hardware, I like these and these for starters.

More links for your weekend:

-Subscribe to National Geographic for just $15 a year! We are mailing our check today :)

-I love this family tree...

-I could think of at least 20 ways to wear this beautifully-Bohemian wrap.

-Don't forget about the giveaway! Leave a comment on this post to enter...

-Beautiful Valentine's Day cards for friends.

-WOW!!!

red legs

2011-01-13T23:55:00.001-05:00

I've been liking the red tights look.

Dressy or casual, they look best with neutrals and blues.

I may have to run out and find a pair to sport. They would be super cute for Valentine's Day :)

Thanks to all who filled out the survey. I am planning a slight blog revamp, as time allows. I just started Spring semester of graduate school yesterday... and this is the semester I will be doing my thesis. Yikes!

i need your help: improving things for 2011

2011-01-12T13:54:00.000-05:00

(Russian teacup via)

If you have a chance, I would GREATLY appreciate it if you would CLICK HERE to fill out an anonymous survey. It's only 5 questions long, and it will help me refocus and improve this blog!

You see, sometimes I just wonder what you like and why you visit...

and I want to make this a place people ENJOY to the fullest. After getting your feedback, I plan to redecorate around here :)

Ah, and don't forget about the new giveaway!

snow (ice) warrior dog

2011-01-12T08:33:00.002-05:00

The snow here has officially turned to 6-inches of ice. Khan LOVES it, though he must be terribly sore from wiping out so many times. Yesterday, the little canine amazed me by sniffing around a snow-ice filled gutter, then breaking through a specific spot with his paw, sticking his head in the hole, and pulling out a stick-- just the right size for fetching. So I threw it over and over while he skidded around, fetching it.

The part he doesn't like is having to get in the tub to wash off the ice balls that catch in his feathers.

Just check out that expression!

Don't forget about the fun-art giveaway!

a unique giveaway from a NEW etsy store...

2011-01-11T10:58:00.005-05:00

Here's a giveaway that could really brighten up a dull corner of your home!

A new etsy store, Parading Chicks, is offering a winner's choice painting!

Her signature design is a trio of three whimsical chicks who seem to be parading across the canvas. She chooses fun themes like Ski Chicks, Ballerina Chicks, Roller Skating Chicks, Whistling Chicks, or her most popular design:

Rainy Day Chicks.

The above image is a zoomed-in version of the chicks' signature red golashes splashing through rain puddles.

Her most recent (and one of my favorite) designs is the Chicks in Pearls series.

The Chicks in Pearls and Boots are too cute in their hats, pearls, and trendy striped stockings with sleek knee-high riding boots... a true Southern Belle look! The artist writes a delightful vignette on each scene. This one says:

If you want to pick up your package today, you should hurry, Girls! The Hatchechubbee post office window closes at 4:00. By the way, you certainly look fetching in your new pearls and knee high boots!

And the other features a trio of "Sunday Go-To-Meeting" chicks. It says:

Oh Dear!...These delightful chicks are late for Sunday school at Hatchechubbee Methodist Church! If they hurry, they might get there in time to grab a cup of coffee before the lesson begins...

This is the kind of art that, as the artist says,

just makes your heart merry.

Check them all out HERE.

To enter,
peruse the Parading Chicks store, determine your favorite, and leave your pick in the comments section of this post.

Good luck!

The drawing will be Wednesday, January 19.

snow photos

2011-01-11T09:05:00.003-05:00

The snow hasn't melted, but it's already turned crunchy. Schools are still closed, but Husband is back at work. The fun parts of snow are short-lived in these parts.

We stayed up until the a.m. hours watching our Auburn Tigers win the BCS National Championship, so I'm getting a late start on life this morning....

all for good cause:

WAR EAGLE!!!

snow and a winner

2011-01-10T20:45:00.003-05:00

Greenville, South Carolina got 6.5 inches of powdery snow today! As Husband and I are watching our Auburn Tigers play the BCS National Championship college football game, the deepest, softest snow Greenville has seen in years is quickly turning to ice.

And since I promised a WINNER tonight, we put all the names in a wine goblet and husband drew ONE....

Congratulations, Sharon!

Friends, if you aren't familiar with the inspiring, kind-hearted Sharon Lovejoy, check out the fun, informative gardening books she's written and illustrated. Especially if you have children, grandchildren, or would like to dye your thumb green :)

Thank you to everyone for taking part in the giveaway. I have another one to offer this week, featuring a brand new Etsy store...

using vintage top hats

2011-01-09T14:30:00.002-05:00

(Image via)

Every item in this assemblage was probably found in a flea market, antique store, yard sell, or thrift mall...

and maybe a garden center :)

How clever are those top hats? I like the way they're sitting up high so they don't take up surface area and extinguish the need for wall art.

The drawing for the giveaway is Monday night!
Go here to enter....
and come back Tuesday for an
all new giveaway
from an
all new Etsy shop!

scattering links and the spontaneous sprouting of GOLD

2011-01-07T09:32:00.007-05:00

The Pantone Color Pick for 2011 may be Honeysuckle, but mine seems to be Gold!

Whether it's the innest color or not, I've noticed gold sprouting in my life lately. I thought I disliked gold.
But no.

I think I rather love it.
It's been a staggering self-realization I first began to realize here and here
and was confirmed here and sanctioned even further here and here. That's a lot of GOLD! I think it needs a Lupines subject tab. :)

Here's more that's sprouted spontaneously:

1. A pair of my grandmother's earrings I was given on Christmas Eve and a gold pashmina that seems to go with everything
2. A seashell display I created when we lived at the beach (3 years ago) and haven't wanted to take down since, even with Husband's hints that we now live in the foothills of the Smokies and no longer at the beach :)
3. Have you entered the giveaway yet? You have until Monday evening!!!
4. A frame I just ordered with a Pottery Barn gift card... and plan to save my grocery budget pennies for several others in the series!

_____________________________________________

And now,
Scattering Links for Your Weekend:
For your weekend surfing (the kind that breeds calories rather than burns them), have fun locating the links within these phrases (because I had fun creating them for you):

For tons of entertaining, home/family style, and gift ideas check out Jordan Ferry's "Year in Review" posts one and two. These can certainly bring more creatively to your 2011!

How pretty, thoughtful, and inspiring a gift idea!

Remember Khan the Poodle from yesterday's post? This photo would make my husband feel MUCH better about that.

Connect with fellow bloggers in your area!

This young lady is like a Bronte sister creating music. I like her playfully melancholy lyrics and dulcet voice.

So fresh and classy! If only I had several hundred to drop on an outfit!

So,
WHAT'S YOUR COLOR FOR 2011?
Will you go with the refreshingly pink Pantone choice? Or deliberately choose your own? Or stumble upon it like a friendly skeleton in your closet who shows up to teach you a little something about your deliberations and declarations against innocent colors?

our new poodle

2011-01-06T08:55:00.002-05:00

Remember our Christmas card photo?

I got a card from a cousin in New Jersey yesterday. She's very diligent with good, old-fashioned Postal correspondence. So, of course, she sent me a "thank you" letter for the Christmas card we sent them. (How much more gracious can you get?)

Anyway, I was reading her letter and thinking how kind it was when suddenly I read this line:

"I love your poodle."

I furrowed my brow and thought, "Poodle? What poodle?"

And then, it struck me. The laughter lasted at least 3 solid minutes and my height decreased by 2 feet from doubling over.

I guess the great and mighty Genghis Khan does look a little poodle-like when he's silhouetted :)

Just to redeem him:

Good boy! You are virile and daunting!

Don't forget to enter the GIVEAWAY!!!!
Go here
or simply scroll down to the next post to comment :)

And now I must go take our rogue-ish poodle out for his morning fetch drills...

giving away... a giveaway!

2011-01-05T08:12:00.000-05:00

There seems to be a general consensus that January is a dismal month. In hopes of bringing light to one of the calendar's shadowy places, I've decided to do several

giveaways

this month.

The first is easy and obvious:

A 10-pack of simply elegant birthday cards from the last post!

Just post a comment in the comments section below to enter...

if you have no idea what to say, just say

hello

salutations

entering the giveaway....

or better yet, tell me a Laffy-Taffy style joke!

I'll draw a name at random and announce the winner on Monday.

simply elegant birthday cards

2011-01-04T10:52:00.001-05:00

Stamps are in!

Aren't they?

That's what I've gathered, anyway. Selective gathering, maybe.

Regardless, I've been creating birthday stationery with two rubber stamps and a pad of gold ink.

Since Husband and I have about a gazillion aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents between the two of us-- all of whom we are very thankful were born-- I decided to make a stack of birthday cards to have on hand for mailing out as birthdays come up.

Looking for that many birthday cards was sorely unsuccessful. Boxed birthday cards, as it turns out, are generally tacky or too child-oriented. I wanted something more simple, serene, and elegant.

Something more like this:

For materials, visit your local Michael's, Hobby Lobby, or other discount craft store or paper source.

Or, check out the rubber stamps here and here.

rainy new years day

2011-01-03T12:23:00.000-05:00

Our first days of 2011 were spent enjoying the comforts of home,

watching football, and

running a full Lord of the Rings movie marathon.

Some photos:

1. Brownie-Bottom Panna Cotta Cupcakes-- a new invention!

2. Watching Saffron turn whipping cream that beautiful reddish yellow color that goes with sunsets

3. Preparing for the traditional New Year's Day Black-Eyed Pea Fest

Husband's "smoking" station, where he braved the rain to turn out a feast of Boston Butt and Chicken, smoked and seasoned to perfection with a homemade rub, sugar, and cider vinegar.

Now, it's back to normal!

2011

2011-01-01T10:33:00.000-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR, FRIENDS!

I prefer seasonal and/or weekly resolutions, but I love the tradition of New Year's Resolutions...

so I'll play along :)

The 2011 Resolutions of a Lupine:

-Begin Learning a New Language (probably won't happen)

-Finish Grad School (must happen!)

-Listen better and create more

-Don't chase tail in circles as often as usual (metaphorically, of course)

-Have more disciplined morning reflection time

-Continue learning to cook...

(These resolutions are Husband-approved.)

What about YOU?

kicking back

2010-12-31T11:44:00.001-05:00

We're looking forward to a low-key New Years weekend. Husband took yesterday and today off, and we have many plans to cook, read, and watch movies,

and zero plans to be at a specific place at a set time in a certain category of attire. In fact, we just got back from the grocery store and don't plan to leave the house again until Sunday morning.

Part of my cooking excursions will involve our traditional New Year's Day meal, and part will involve experimenting in the kitchen. Husband plans to marinate and smoke some meats.

I hope you all enjoy your New Year's activities, whatever they may be!
See you next year...

it ain't over till the garlands are down

2010-12-30T09:45:00.001-05:00

All the Christmas decorations are down-- even the handtowels-- except for these few items on the mantel. It just looks so simple and serene, I can't take it down quite yet.

The Nativity scene was a gift.

It was handmade in Bangladesh from wheat grass. The golden luster is more brilliant than the photo shows. They can be bought through Ten Thousand Villages, a Mennonite non-profit that works to sell handmade masterpieces like this for artisans in third-world countries. Even their "employees" are volunteers, allowing even more profits for the artisans.

The Nativity can be found here. I think I will leave mine up year-round.

gifts of gold, vacuums, and myrrh

2010-12-29T10:56:00.001-05:00

Husband always does a wonderful job with gifts. This year was no exception. He bought me a beautiful necklace, which I wore every day of our Christmas vacation, a refill of my favorite perfume, and..... drum roll....

the most awesome vacuum cleaner known to (wo)man. It takes the cake. It's the bees knees. The best thing since sliced bread. Better than a bowl of cherries. Or a spoonful of sugar.

With attachments and an air filter just for:

the problems this little mammal brings to our home: silky brown hair and that precious canine musk.

When I told people what Husband gave me they whispered, "Are you mad at him?"

NO!

Quite the contrary. I'm ecstatic with him.

I've been beating and cursing our pathetic Dirt Devil for three years. It spit out more than it sucked up and I had to vacuum 24 hours before having company to give the house time to air out from all the heavy allergens it cast into the once-breathable oxygen. I kid you not. It was a weekly war.

And Husband did his research. The Kenmore Progressive simply rocks.

It cleans the air, the baseboards, the furniture, the carpet, the hardwood floor... I haven't tried it on the dishes, my teeth, or the dog yet, but I'm sure it would clean those too :)

Of course, Husband also proved his suave genius in giving me this trophy vacuum-cleaner along with the "pretty" things mentioned above. Smart man.

Just like I gave him classy clothing along with a gift certificate to a butcher shop.

Balance.

back at it

2010-12-28T11:22:00.000-05:00

It's about time for a new post around here! It seems I took an unplanned break from blogging.

A quick report on the desserts:

I made the Raspberry Sherry Trifle and the Frozen Grand Marnier Torte from the last post.

Both desserts were delicious, but the trifle was the biggest hit. It was light and more ubiquitously pleasing. The sherry was cooked, so the children enjoyed it as well as the adults. The Torte was delicious but very "orange-y" and the crust would not come out of the bottom, since it was frozen. If you ever make this one, either grease the bottom of the dish VERY well or make a crustless Torte and use all of the "Crust" in between the two layers of custard. Overall, I loved the flavors. But they were very unique and bold and would never do for a picky crowd.

Now for our three-day visit to Alabama.

DAY ONE

was most certainly Khan's favorite.

Can you sense the energy? He loves the leash-less freedom the tall pines of Alabama bring him.

It's refreshing for us, too.

Fire pits. Fresh lumber cut from one's own property. And, of course, inflatable Auburn tents.

I got to meet some friends for lunch, too.

Miriam (middle) was in town from the UK where she is working on her PhD in Creative Writing, and Ashleigh is a (newly graduated) lawyer in Atlanta. I'm so impressed with my smart friends! I've known these two since elementary school. And with all they have to offer the world through their vast accomplishments, I talked through the entire lunch. Do you ever leave a visit and think, I just talked the whole time and really had so little to say? That's how I left lunch with these two: wishing I had listened more than spoken.

DAY TWO: Christmas Eve

We spent the day near Birmingham with my dad's family.

The town they recently moved to is an old railroad town with a vintage depot deli. So we explored the town, perused its shops, and had tasty burgers at the depot. Many of the shops were closing for good (or had already). It's the kind of scene that makes me want to try harder to support small businesses, to keep places like this alive. It's just not the same as rushing through Target. It would be a tragedy to lose.

Christmas Eve night was spent in my parents' tiny country church and at their house preparing for Christmas Day... and meeting my brother's interesting (and cute!) girlfriend for the first time through Skype. She teaches English in Tibet and couldn't be home for Christmas.

DAY THREE: Christmas Day

Got up early. Men started frying and smoking turkeys. I showered and had lots of coffee to await the arrival of the Herndon family, which has grown from four to seven in the last two years. They have visited early Christmas morning for as long as I can remember-- and have at times opened our gifts before we've reached them saying, "Hey, look what you got for Christmas!" They bring lots of LIFE to groggy Christmas mornings :)

I usually have no idea what to get my parents. But this Christmas, I couldn't wait for them to open their gift.

The wrapping, they were told, contained a CLUE.

So they discussed and tried to discover the CLUE... any ideas?

To no avail.

So they opened the box, and the spring system I designed to make the silk flowers pop out was a total flop....

so the flowers that didn't gurgle out in slow motion were gathered and moved...

the letter read aloud...

and they are very happy with their 108 perennial bulbs that will be delivered for spring planting! It's a gift that (hopefully) will keep giving. In this shopping process, I learned that Spring bulbs can be pre-ordered at discount. I went through American Meadows.

(By the way, the hat I'm wearing in that photo is a fru-fru chef's hat that Santa brought me.)

After the Herndons' visit and the giving of gifts, we traipsed over to Pittsview, Alabama to my grandmother's 160-year-old home to see my mom's family-- all 30 of them.

It's one of my favorite events of the whole year.

Photo One: The grandchildren's playroom

Photo Two: Mother and Brother taking out the wrappings (and wearing some, too!)

Photo Three: The "cousins" generation-- minus two who had to leave early

Photo Four: Lounging in the parlor towards the end of the day's activities (usually, this time of the day involves skeet shooting in the fields, but it was too misty out for that kind of fun)

On the fourth day, we returned to Greenville, SC where a light dusting of snow awaited us. It rarely snows this far South around Christmas, much less on Christmas night. It was quite magical.

what are you bringing to the table?

2010-12-21T16:30:00.001-05:00

1. Paula Deen's easy (and pretty!) Raspberry Sherry Trifle

2. Southern Living's Red Velvet Cheesecake

(this one is a little more labor-intensive and must be made a day-ahead, but it's one of my all-time favorites!)

3. Bon Appetite's Frozen Grand Marnier Torte with Dark Chocolate Crust and Spiced Cranberries. Yum. This is the one I'll be contributing to the family feast this year.

wrapping things up...

2010-12-21T09:38:00.000-05:00

I love our paper and ribbons this year-- the muted, texturized gold with the festive polka-dot ribbon.

But when I go to wrap the "male gifts" I never quite feel right about giving them elaborate bows, streaming ribbon tails, and sparkly adornments. So, when I saw Dawn's posting on her rustic cut-out wrappings (except my aren't 3-D pop-ups) I felt inspired to create the forest scene you see above. I have a few more to go and I'm thinking of a "grill" for Husband's cut-out... and maybe a line of Snowmen or a sledding scene for a child's gift. And maybe a slice of cake for another.

melted snowmen (and peppermint buttercream frosting)

2010-12-20T09:28:00.002-05:00

Every year, we make Eggnog Logs and Christmas Tree Bark.

And every year we try a new cookie recipe.

This year's new recipe was "Melted Snowmen"--

A regular Sugar Cookie with Peppermint Buttercream Frosting and marshmallow heads.

We made some content and others protesting,

and we made a few furious with their lot.

Peppermint Buttercream Frosting

1 stick of butter

2 cups sifted confectioner's sugar

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream

snowflake bentley: a spectacular gift

2010-12-17T09:46:00.001-05:00

This simple picturebook book tells the true story of a man who was so enamored by Nature's intricate details that he couldn't stop sketching, photographing, sharing, and journaling his observations of snowflakes, dew, grasshoppers, and other fine details.

Wilson A. Bentley is the man who photographed the first image of a magnified snowflake.

This book-- seemingly written for children-- tells his story of success. It is a unique story of success, since it doesn't involve the acquisition of a perfect romance or grand fortune. The success is one of heart and mind-- of tenaciously pursuing the most natural thing in life: the thing that rivets and fulfills you most, no matter the cost. For Bentley, it just happened to be snowflakes.

Snowflake Bentley's story would be an ideal gift for anyone.

In fact, it was recently given to me by a dear friend and mentor in honor of finishing my Fall semester of graduate school, and it has left an impression on me which I cannot convey in mere words on a blog...

Plus, the illustrations are by the very talented Mary Azarian.

scattering profiles: pumphouse studios

2010-12-16T08:34:00.000-05:00

I found these bird plates in a shop called,

Pumphouse Studios.

I immediately clicked on the profile thinking, this shop name has to have a story!

And it does.

This artist's story is so beautifully written, I have to share it verbatim....

My mother was a potter and art teacher. Under her influence I grew up making art, but concentrated on the written word in school, eventually earning a PhD in literature in 1994. That same year my mom died from breast cancer, leaving me her well-used wheel, kiln, and a series of mysterious glaze recipes. It took nearly ten years and several moves later to see what I had inherited. I found myself in Southern Oregon, teaching literature but connecting with a group of ceramic artists who showed me how to shape the fog of grief into the delight of working with clay. During those years, my studio was a 6X6 foot pumphouse where I worked every spare moment, making pots and competing with the pump and waterlines for space. My kiln was outside. As a result, I like to say that my apprenticeship in ceramics was literally affected by the rolling of the seasons and the events of the natural world around me.

I think these three would look superb hanging together.

disclaimer....

2010-12-15T13:38:00.004-05:00

Regarding the recipe I posted today (see next post),

it doesn't have to be as complicated as it looks. Here's what you should do if you don't have three hours to spend stirring and blending:

Cook the meat as directed until just after you bring it to an initial boil. Then, transfer it to a slow cooker and cook either:

-on high for 3-4 hours

-on medium all day

For the potatoes, heat the potato cubes in the microwave for 10 minutes or until soft. Then, put the potatoes and all ingredients except milk and corn into a blender or food processor (use the milk only if the potatoes are too thick-- mine didn't need it). Blend until creamy. Transfer to a bowl, stir in corn, and reheat just before serving.

mexi-texi bistec pedazos

2010-12-15T07:58:00.001-05:00

(photo via)

Last night for supper, I made a recipe that has been sitting in my recipe file since early 2008.

It was unique, creamy, cozy, and all-around delicious. Husband and I were calling it Chipotle Pot Roast. The beef cooks until it falls apart at the touch of your fork, and the gravy is reminiscent of pot roast gravy, flavored with chipotle, Mexican chili powder, and cumin.

All in all, it's the mased corn potatoes that make the recipe stand out. They are phenomenal.

The only changes I made in the process were:

Canola Oil for Vegetable Oil (no cholesterol and less fat)

Frozen corn kernels for fresh ears of corn

Ignored the cilantro (it's not my favorite herb)
And I let the beef cook on high in the slow cooker for about four hours instead of simmering it and "stirring frequently" for two.

Find the

Mexi-Texi Bistec Pedazos on Roasted Corn and Garlic Chipotle-Cilantro Mashers

by clicking here.

scattering links: gifts and crafts

2010-12-14T08:38:00.001-05:00

Jordan Ferry has several ideas for colorful felt ball decor, including wreaths....

and garlands.

Too cute. I love the color.

A Design Sponge post from last week featured this calendar idea:

Vintage Postcard Calendars in 3-D! Wouldn't that look interesting on a desktop or kitchen counter?

Gift Ideas from Martha:
(These would be perfect for book club, Bible study, clergy, and teacher gifts!)

1 & 4: Templates for Personalized Book Plates inspired by 1930's designs. They suggest using white card stock and pasting them in book covers; or you can just print on sticky-backed photo paper to make life easier. Their other idea involves creating your own with stamps and ink.

3: Photo book markers, Picture these with enhanced sepia-toned nature photos and fine upholstery fabric from the "scraps" table at your local fabric store... they have the potential to look quite elegant!

2: Bound Envelope Books for organizing coupons, receipts, bills, or your own daily schedule.

More Links to Peruse:

Check out this Winter "Woodseycake" by the Farm Chicks. It would be a perfect addition to the holiday dessert table!
Melted Snowman Cookies at OhDeeDoh; the fact that this icing should look a little messy will relieve you of any and all pressure to create scrupulously perfect Christmas cookies!
Pinecone-embellished picture frames and ornaments
Butterscotch Toffee or Peppermint coffee blends
Small, affordable prints on canvas by artist Cari Humphrey
Compass Cuff Links for men (be sure to look for matching tie pins, too!)
Dig around in your sofa cushions and junk drawers for Gift Wrapping trinkets to achieve this look
For the little critters on your list, this critter soap would go great with a critter book, while simultaneously encouraging reading and bath time.

christmas cardography

2010-12-13T11:27:00.000-05:00

This year's Christmas card photo shoot was very last minute-- as in, on the way out the door and already running 30 minutes late. Husband wasn't even fully dressed yet-- no coat, no tie, no belt, untucked shirt... he's such a sport!

And Khan's glowing canine eyes will just have to do. It rather fits his intense personality anyway (as I type, I'm throwing the tennis ball from the study into the kitchen so he can fetch it over and over and over).

pieces of charlotte, nc

2010-12-13T09:57:00.000-05:00

We went to Charlotte on Saturday night for Husband's company Holiday Party. It was nice to be back in the Queen City where we spent a year of our lives, stopping in at our favorite restaurants, exploring things we didn't explore while living there, seeing Husband's company's latest projects, going to a service at our old church, and visiting with friends.

We got to see the Bank of America tower husband's company recently finished.

It amazes me to see buildings like this-- so large and stunning with indoor gardens...

and millions of lights strung from the ceiling just to adorn the seasonal feel.

I feel it's a testament of the gifts God has given mankind--

specific strengths and talents

ways to engineers and create through discipline of mind and body.

Of course, man's God-given gifts aren't only visible in majestic buildings!
Our favorite sushi restaurant of all time (visit RuSan's if you are ever in Charlotte!)

has created some spectacular new specials since we last stopped in.

Our hotel was downtown, so we also visited the NASCAR Hall of Fame,

which we never quite made it to while we lived there...

They call that twisty piece of metal across the front "The Ribbon."

It's supposed to artistically echo the race track.

And of course the pedestrian walks to and from the edifice are painted like the checkered NASCAR flag and logo, which I thought was quite witty. Although, I know very little about the sport-- except that it's dangerous, fast, often raw, and very very loud. Those stereotypes were enough to keep me away from an actual event while living in Charlotte!

Well, other than visiting people, getting dressed-up a lot, freezing in dress-up clothes, and stocking up on our favorite local coffee, that's about it from our Charlotte jaunt!

khan is back

2010-12-11T08:38:00.000-05:00

Khan's health is fully back to normal!

He's up to his old shenanigans

and fetching like it's his job.

It's so good to have his spirited little personality "back."

Thank you for all your prayers and wishes!

I have some fun things coming up this week...

-Christmas cards (cutting it close!)

-A template for the cutest placecards ever

-An idea for gift tags (using the same template)

-And hopefully something I've been wanting to try for a long while

(crossing my fingers I get to it!)

christmas attire for handsome hubs

2010-12-09T12:11:00.003-05:00

Husband is getting this red sweater for Christmas.

My grandfather (we called him Grump) had a signature red sweater vest he wore every Christmas. When gift time came, he would wear a Santa hat and hand out the gifts from under the tree to all of the grandchildren to pass out. It's likely because of this memory that red sweaters over collared shirts are the epitome of classic, spirited Christmas attire for men in my (traditional, nostalgic) mind. Pus, Husband looks very handsome in v-neck sweaters.

Now, if I could just get him to wear that hat, too...
it's just that he gets ever-so irked when he thinks I'm "playing dress-up" with him.
So for now, I have to be happy with the red sweater :)

Are there any fond memories of Christmas "uniforms"

worn by loved ones in your realms?

cocktail necklace

2010-12-08T08:21:00.001-05:00

We have two Christmas parties this weekend, and I'll be wearing this to one of them.

I had to call a fashionable friend from the store to ask if a black pencil skirt paired with a sequin tank and fancy necklace was okay. She said definitely.

P.S. This is rare for us to have dressy events back-to-back--

we're usually casual and reclusive on the weekends :)

I got the necklace on sale from Talbots. I happened to find it on a much bigger sale than it's listed here.

This one and this one would also work well for adding pizzazz to your holiday attire.

scattering inspiration: cookie cutter garland

2010-12-07T07:47:00.002-05:00

Talk about easy! This took me all of ten minutes and two materials:

rustic twine and cookie cutters.

Thank you all for your prayers and get-well wishes for Khan yesterday! The "bug" seems to have passed and he's doing much better. We even went for a short jog last night.

getting festive...

2010-12-06T10:41:00.000-05:00

On Friday, the Christmas spirit was heightened 'round here with a visit to Greenville's Bob Jones University Art Museum, which contains the second largest collection of religious art in the world (the first being the collection at the Vatican). They had live instrumental performances throughout the gallery-- one being a "choir" of twelve harpists-- and a Christmas lighting ceremony.

Sadly, the only picture I took...

was of Husband standing in a very slow line for Hot Chocolate.

On Saturday, I worked on final projects for school and decorated the mantel, to which Husband sung

O Mantelpiece, O Mantelpiece,

How lovely are your branches!

And on Sunday, we attended a local performance of Handel's Messiah,

prepared for evening guests,

and finally bought a Christmas Tree so Husband could sing,

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

instead.

And...hmmm... it seems like I'm forgetting something...

Ah, yes!

WAR EAGLE!

On Saturday night, we watched our Auburn Tigers (Husband and I met at Auburn University where we went to undergrad) WIN THE SEC CHAMPIONSHIP! We watched it with our neighbors, who were rooting for the opposing team, the South Carolina Gamecocks.

They were very kind and fed us delicious chili spiced with a dash of cinnamon even though we were beating their socks off :)

Our guests on Sunday were also SC fans-- since we live in SC!-- so we had to make sure our "Santa Aubie" mascot was quietly on full display. That smile looks a bit smug, doesn't it?

In sad news, Khan has been ill. We think he has a virus... it's nasty. If you're the kind to say prayers for dogs, he'd much appreciate it.

More to come on decor, etc!

How was your weekend?

Did you watch the game?
Decorate?

I'd love to hear!

chicken wild rice soup (like you've never had it before)...

2010-12-03T06:58:00.000-05:00

Husband says this is the most delicious soup he's ever tasted.

Well, other than his Shrimp Corn Chowder and Julia Child's Boeuf Bourguignon--

and I'm sure some of his mom's recipes are high on the totem pole of wondrous soups, too.

Anyhow, it is a very good, stick-to-your-insides soup for a cold, bleak day, and the sherry, sour cream, and bacon add some unexpected dimensions in flavor.

Click here for the printable version, or click "read more" to view the full post.

You will need:

1 (6 oz.) box long grain and wild rice with herb seasonings mix (I use Uncle Ben’s Original Recipe)

4 cups chicken broth*

1 lb. chicken, cooked and chopped

2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried thyme)

3 slices bacon

¾ cup diced red bell pepper

½ cup diced sweet yellow onion

½ cup diced celery

1 cup shredded carrots

1 green onion, diced

1 cup frozen corn

1 cup frozen lima beans

½ teaspoon minced garlic

8 oz sour cream

¼ cup sherry wine vinegar

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

(Optional toppings: toasted almonds, a dash of paprika, a dollop of sour cream)

What to do:

Begin boiling the broth. Add the rice and herb seasoning packet and thyme. Boil for 20 minutes then reduce to a simmer.

Meanwhile, fry the bacon in a sauté pan until it is cooked but still floppy. Remove the bacon. Using the remaining grease, add the red bell pepper, onion, and celery. Cook covered, stirring occasionally. After 5 minutes, add the carrots. After 5 more minutes, add the green onions, corn, and lima beans. After 5 more minutes, add the garlic. Cover and allow vegetables to simmer until the celery and onions are soft. Chop the bacon slices.

Add the cooked, chopped chicken and bacon to the simmering rice mixture. Add the vegetables. Allow all ingredients to simmer together for 20-30 minutes, or until ready to serve. Before serving, combine the sour cream, sherry vinegar, and flour. Stir this into the soup and allow to heat through, about 10 minutes. Serve with toppings, if desired.

*If you plan to refrigerate and reheat the soup, you will need to add more chicken broth before reheating.

scattering inspiration: paper leaves wreath

2010-12-02T08:07:00.000-05:00

An easy Paper Leaves Wreath tutorial was posted here.

I love the shape of the leaves--

it reminds me of great Southern Magnolias.

Very soon, I'll be sharing a fantastic soup recipe (just invented last night!)...

december brings...

2010-12-01T05:00:00.010-05:00

Hope. Promise. Starlight.

Christmas.

Happy December!

The Nativity pictured was molded from clay by a Mexican folk artist and colored in natural earth pigments.
I just love their expressions of fear and awe.
So human. So mysterious. So Divine.

See more in Elwin Wood's Etsy shop.

going greenville

2010-11-30T22:42:00.003-05:00

Our (current) hometown was featured on Design Sponge this week.

Who woulda thought? It feels so small and quaint, which we love.

See it here.

holiday appetizer: cranberry brie wontons

2010-11-30T14:59:00.004-05:00

My mother-in-law made Cranberry-Brie Wontons as a Thanksgiving day appetizer. They were a hit.

She used fresh cranberries, cooked in a pan with orange juice until they were soft and almost jam-ish.

I found a similar recipe here that uses cranberry sauce.

that cup ranneth over...

2010-11-30T09:49:00.001-05:00

Thanksgiving break was full of good cheer, old friends, new friends, family, and uplifting tunes,

Tiny touches of the most intricately elegant measures,

Canine cousins catching up on some wrestling and other furry nonsense,

And of course,

preparations for the next holiday!

I love this season, beginning in October when the holidays fall like a line of dominoes.
Halloween. Thanksgiving. Christmas. New Years. Valentines.

They stand, wave, sway, clap, and rest in the forms of

Spooks. Harvests. Glitz. Fireworks. Flowers.

Or in themes like

Pagan History. The Celebration of Saints. Family. Abundance. Advent. Birth. Clean Slates. Red and Pink in the midst of bleak winter days....

So, while visiting family in Mobile, Alabama to celebrate the Harvests of Fall,

we went to a local lights show to welcome the season of Advent.

This is Husband smelling a Poinsettia...

This is Husband pseudo-sneezing,

It was a walk-through event, so one of the best parts was looking UP into the lights dangling from the trees.

Happy Advent to you all!

I look forward to the coming weeks...

as it's such a wonderful time of happy music, uplifting spiritual reflections, thoughtful preparations, and enamoring sights.

one-day sale (and you don't even have to leave your computer screen)

2010-11-29T10:59:00.002-05:00

Just thought I'd let you know...

Shop here.
Find similar savings at this store, too!
I like this dress,
and this cardigan

scattering tunes: in foreign languages

2010-11-24T05:16:00.000-05:00

I saw this video over at Today's Letters, and just can't get it out of my head.

The beat is classic and fresh all swirled into one-- even though I have very little idea what she's saying!
(Which reminds me, I have about 5 weeks until I have to face my 2011 Resolution: Learn a foreign language.)

I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving,
full in belly, house, and spirit.
See you after!

scattering inspiration: last-minute thanksgiving table

2010-11-23T08:00:00.003-05:00

The Internet is bursting with "table" ideas for Thanksgiving, and most of them flaunt simplicity with an air that seems to say, "Why would you try to be complicated?"

This "Thankful" tree could easily be created by pasting scrapbook paper to both sides of cardstock (for sturdiness). You would have to draw it, cut it out, and cut a slit in the bottom of one piece and the top of another. I wish I could find a template... it's do-able, don't you think?

(Okay, maybe this one isn't quite so simple... but the rest of these ARE!)

I love this combination of pumpkins and apples tumbling out of a basket that looks like it came from a Farmer's market and was filled with fuzzy peaches just a few short months ago,

(See? Very simple!)

These two involve a little shopping and crafting, but nothing complicated. Gold spraypaint for the first and an old navigating map glued into the shape of a cone for the second.

For the maps:

You can download and print one of these on tan or yellow cardstock

or here is an old map of the Americas that you can save and print on similar paper.

(I would use a printing store, since it will need to be a little larger than 8.5x11, or you can make a trio of smaller cones and use your home printer... to keep it simple :) )

Pears and grain centerpiece DIY here,

(This is my favorite!)

Or a casual tossing about of pumpkins and Fallish flora will do just fine.

(P.S. For the easiest placecards you'll ever make, click here.)

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with people (or pets) you hold dear, wherever you may be!

Photos via here, here, here, and here.

random faces and a (very unique) holiday appetizer

2010-11-22T10:35:00.002-05:00

One morning as I was sweeping the leaves from our front porch (well, it's more like a front stoop), I felt like someone-- or something-- was watching me. I casually looked around, and realized I was IN FACT being watched by two sketchy characters:

A beautiful house is being built next door to ours (shake siding, three sets of oak French doors, lots of windows, copper roof.... I'll share pictures when they finish the exterior!).

Apparently, one of the contractors is a sculpture artist as well as a home builder.

And now, I have to share this recipe without photos.

I apologize for the lack of visual aid, but it will be a few weeks before I'll have a photo for you (as I won't be making it again until December 5)... and I hate to keep it to myself with Thanksgiving so near, knowing you all will have guests to impress! Let me assure you, this little dish is the bee's knees in the world of sweet tooth hors d'oeuvres. We had it at a friend's house recently, and I have been unable to find a recipe ANYWHERE. She found it pre-made at a specialty shop. So, it's as unique as they come!

Without further ado and ramblings, here's my reincarnation of it:

Blueberry-Vanilla Goat Cheese

served with gingersnaps

(I tried to have the title make up for the photo void)

Mix together:

1 cup frozen blueberries (because they mix without squashing)

1 cup blueberry jam

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 tablespoon wild honey

Warm the mixture in the microwave for 30 seconds. Pour it over a 16-oz log of Goat Cheese (Yes, that's one whole pound of goat cheese. Once it's wrapped in foil, you could use it in aerobics class!).

Wrap the blueberry-doused log tightly in foil and refrigerate overnight. Or, just keep it wrapped-up in your refrigerator as an emergency appetizer.

To serve:

Unwrap the log and allow it to sit on a serving dish for 20 minutes at room temperature (or until goat cheese begins to soften). Place the gingersnaps nearby along with a cheese spreader. Play some Chopin in the background (Vivaldi works, too).

Take my food-lovin' word for it, you will want to adorn your table with this unique combination at some point over the holidays.

thanksgiving dessert

2010-11-19T11:23:00.000-05:00

(Image via)

For Thanksgiving Day dessert, I plan to contribute Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce, which looks delicious.

Find it on Epicurious.

blood-locked seasoning

2010-11-18T10:08:00.040-05:00

Picture the weather so sticky and thick it looks more like a foggy morning than a smoldering summer day. Picture the moss hanging lazily from the antebellum oak trees, oscillating fans, energy despite the oppressive heat, and an artful laziness despite the energy.

Think pretty cotton fields, fierce alligators, steeping gumbo, superstition, boiling crawdads, cayenne peppers, andouille and boudin sausages. Think spice. Now we’re on the right track.

Husband made a unique Cajun spice blend this weekend.
When I think of this blend, I think of the days when spices were valuable, exotic trade items. I think of historical books I read as a child that told of ships carrying colorful silks, fragrant soaps, silver platters, creamy china, and spices into provincial ports.

This recipe was hand-scrawled on the back of an envelope during an SEC football cookout on Auburn University’s campus. Husband had been hoping for years to win the trust of the man who made a blood pact with the Cajun sea captain who developed this combination of Acadiana taste-bud glory.

Finally, the man offered it to him—although not without deep whispers, stern glances, furtive handshakes, and other clandestine behaviors, and he explained to us both how each spice is tasted on the tongue at singular points, covering the whole tongue with a symphony of flavor from the tip to the tonsil.

Here are some spice blend recipes that would make great gifts for neighbors and friends:

French four-spice blend from Gourmet (I plan to make this one!)

Mexican Spice Blend from Foodista

Moroccan Spice Blend from Gourmet

Mulling Spice blend from Cooking Light

A Cajun Spice Blend that's not blood-locked or written in ounces :)

And for the presentation:

These spice jars have a nostalgic shape, reminiscent of old-fashioned milk bottles, and these have spirited red tops. Both are great prices!

Are there any favorite spice blends in your family?

book sculptures

2010-11-17T12:26:00.002-05:00

I've had such a good time perusing Su Blackwell's book sculptures and commercial designs.

She says she, "often work(s) within the realm of fairy-tales and folk-lore,"

and she certainly captures those realms in her pieces. Each one is equally wrought with enchantment, thrills, and pixie dust. I love the way she portrays the illusion of movement.

Speeking of stories, did you read Island of the Blue Dolphins growing up? Yesterday, I read the 1880 account the story is based on. It's not long. Find it here if you're interested.

scattering profiles: the knack room

2010-11-16T08:10:00.002-05:00

Introducing a Greenville, SC (my current home!) based studio...

and awesome, I might add!

It's called Knack Studios, and she specializes in reclaiming and re-beautifying.

I just love seeing what color combinations she chooses for each piece,

and what little surprises she adds (frankly, I think it's these "surprises" that make her work so appealing).

Not to mention the pro job she does distressing each piece,

And searching far and wide for amazing, one-of-a-kind hardware,

See those polka dots on top of the dresser?

They're actually...

newspaper and comic cut-outs!

You can see more:

In her Knack Etsy store,

On her Knack Blog,

On her Knack Website.

chocolate-pumpkin marble cake

2010-11-12T09:04:00.000-05:00

From Sunset magazine...

Get the recipe here.

who knew?

2010-11-11T07:59:00.004-05:00

I remember once my very stylish little cousin wore some jeans. I thought they were designer jeans, and her countenance suddenly went sly, and she said not exactly.

Then, my thrifty sister-in-law got some 'skinny' jeans (I despise the name, but that's a post for another day...) and looked just as mod as as anybody. Hers weren't designer either.

So, yesterday I visited my cousin's secret jean market, and sure enough, they look GOOD.

Want to know where it is?

The GAP!

They really do fit as well and as flattering as my old designer jeans! And I don't have to wait for them to go on a 70% off sale :)

They also have these oh-so-sensible cowl-neck tops made from an ultra-soft t-shirt material-- perfect for layering. And only $25.

I learned all of this yesterday on a quick outing to the mall... and just had to share!

scattering inspiration: for the thanksgiving table

2010-11-10T09:31:00.000-05:00

Placecards,

Beverages,

Centerpieces.

Inspiration via here, here, and here.

scattering inspiration: gourd garlands

2010-11-03T14:34:00.002-04:00

Another great November idea from Martha.

cooking for adoption

2010-11-03T08:50:00.001-04:00

This isn't just any ole' cookbook...

ALL proceeds from the sales go to the adoption of two boys from Uganda.

scattering inspiration: mayflower centerpieces

2010-11-02T13:12:00.001-04:00

Get the how-to and templates for these Mayflower Centerpieces here.

Martha says this is a great activity for kids!

However, be sure you know the Indian perspective of Thanksgiving, too. There is a (somewhat shocking) piece here about the Myths of Thanksgiving, as understood in American Indian realms.

Here is another (much more gentle) link.

Here's my view:

When it comes to history no one really knows what happened or why. History is as much about human experience as the present-- and how easy is it to find unbiased news coverage? There are always (at least) two sides to every story, and the human mind is innately biased, subjective, and personal. So enjoy your Mayflower centerpieces, while knowing that today Thanksgiving is about family, sharing, opportunity, blessings, and nourishment for stomach and soul. Harvest the positive while being aware of the negative.

And please feel free to share your views and/or links in the comments section!

Happy November!

leftover candy "trash mix"

2010-10-30T17:31:00.001-04:00

Happy Halloween!

Check out this link for ideas on how to use leftover candy to make decadent desserts...

Or better yet, "Trash Mix!"

tilt-shifting in photoshop (a tutorial link)

2010-10-29T13:29:00.003-04:00

This image is a photo of Van Gogh's artwork, altered in Photoshop using a method called "tilt-shifting." I don't have Photoshop, but if I did I would be spending the afternoon with a cup of Chai Tea and this tutorial to master the skill of "Tilt-Shift" photo editing.

It also looks as if some "tilt-shifting" was done in this photo from Garden and Gun magazine.

(If any of you who own Photoshop try this, I'd love to see your alterations!)

(Once again, that tutorial is here.)

another side-of-the back roads spotting

2010-10-29T09:03:00.000-04:00

A fun (space-friendly) way to dsiplay vegetation--

I would fill mine with herbs and flowers until they overflowed on the sides.