Sunday, December 29, 2013

Looking Forward to a Sparkly 2014

Hope you had a Merry little Christmas this year. We kept our simple as all our decorations are in storage on the other side of the country. But you can see what we did on Instagram.
 
This year was one that I will remember.
 
My dad passed away, after a two-and-a-half year battle of pancreatic cancer.
 
We travelled across the USA and lived in five states.
 
And lastly, we got married.
 
My life as I knew it has changed. Some say it's something to do with being twenty-seven? A pivotal year. The past four years, have not been my favorite. But the year has ended on a joyous note.
 
We have lot's to look forward to in 2014. A new home, lot's of decorating, and possibly starting a family. I'm excited, to say the least.
 
So, in celebration...here's a delicate New Years dream party.
 
a glittery macaron
 
"Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it."
 
-Thomas Jefferson
Gorgeous
 
From our home, to your home we wish you a sparkly New Year.
 
Cheers!
Blush Champagne with gold sugar trim

Monday, December 23, 2013

Birds Of A Feather

This past month or so, I've been watching Birds of a Feather before going to bed. I remember my mom letting me stay up and watch the episodes when I was younger, and in someway it reminds me of my childhood in England and the 1980's and 1990's which is when the show aired.
 
The show is about sisters whose husbands get imprisoned for armed robbery, and end up living together and trying to come up with business ideas to support themselves. They have a nosey neighbor who ends up becoming their best friend, and together, they create an entertaining performance.
 
Series List
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
To my amazement, just as I'm about to finish on series 9, which ended filming in 1998, I found out they are bringing the show back this January.

Monday, December 16, 2013

I See Sea Shells On The Sea Shore

 
We went for a walk on the beach today. Something about the seaside clears my mind. The sun as it reflects on the water, the dolphins swimming in the distance, the fresh air and the sea shells.
 
 
The tidal waves are changing and so a lot of shells were on the shore this evening, usually it's mostly sandy, but if you visit the beach regularly like we do, you notice natures little changes. Look at this shell Cory found, isn't it unique?
 
 
Well, alas it distracted us from our thoughts; of work, lists, to-dos and cleared our minds.
 
Hope you had a happy Monday.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

The Harmony-seeking Idealist

Harmony-seeking Idealists are characterized by a complex personality and an abundance of thoughts and feelings. They are warm-hearted persons by nature. They are sympathetic and understanding. Harmony-seeking Idealists expect a lot of themselves and of others. They have a strong understanding of human nature and are often very good judges of character.
 
But they are mostly reserved and confide their thoughts and feelings to very few people they trust. They are deeply hurt by rejection or criticism. Harmony-seeking Idealists find conflict situations unpleasant and prefer harmonious relationships. However, if reaching a certain target is very important to them they can assert themselves with a doggedness bordering on obstinacy.

Harmony-seeking Idealists have a lively fantasy, often an almost clairvoyant intuition and are often very creative. Once they have tackled a project, they do everything in their power to achieve their goals. In everyday life, they often prove to be excellent problem solvers. They like to get to the root of things and have a natural curiosity and a thirst for knowledge. At the same time, they are practically oriented, well organized and in a position to tackle complex situations in a structured and carefully considered manner. When they concentrate on something, they do so one hundred percent - they often become so immersed in a task that they forget everything else around them. That is the secret of their often very large professional success.
 
As partners, harmony-seeking idealists are loyal and reliable; a permanent relationship is very important to them. They seldom fall in love head over heels nor do they like quick affairs. They sometimes find it very difficult to clearly show their affection although their feelings are deep and sincere. In as far as their circle of friends is concerned, their motto is: less is more! As far as new contacts are concerned, they are approachable to only a limited extent; they prefer to put their energy into just a few, close friendships. Their demands on friends and partners are very high. As they do not like conflicts, they hesitate for some time before raising unsatisfactory issues and, when they do, they make every effort not to hurt anyone as a result.
 
Sandra Kuck
Sandra Kuck.
This reminds me of being a little girl, I loved writing my thoughts in my journal and spending time with our beloved cat.

Adjectives that describe your type
introverted, theoretical, emotional, planning, idealistic, harmony-seeking, understanding, peace-loving, sensitive, quiet, sympathetic, conscientious, dogged, complicated, inconspicuous, warm-hearted, complex, imaginative, inspiring, helpful, demanding, communicative, reserved, vulnerable.
 
As a Harmony-seeking Idealist you are one of the introverted personality types. Therefore you prefer a quiet work environment where you can intensively deal with your responsibilities and are not disturbed by too many people and repeated distractions. You need a lot of time to dwell on your thoughts, to put them into words and let your ideas take shape.
 
You are grateful for a certain measure of order and structure in order to achieve this, and being able to deal with one project after the other, thus not having a number of responsibilities at one time. You don’t like being overloaded because it is important to you to deal with things thoroughly. Your capability to concentrate is unusually great and very often you become engrossed in something and forget everything around you.

You are one of the feeler types. This fact is partially the reason that you have a very strong insight into human nature and enjoy dealing with people. You are interested in the people around you and have a real sense for their motivations, needs and abilities. Your talent to see the best in everybody and your keen wish to understand others and somehow contribute to their well-being predestine you to work with people.

Due to your propensity to be introverted you are not into holding major speeches for large audiences. Your real strength lies in working individually with people like therapists, physicians or priests. In those professions, when advancing others in their personal development or to help them in any other way is the issue, you are unbeatable.

You are extremely sensitive, and your social competences are developed above average. As a result you have no problems working with people or being a team member. Still, you should watch out to primarily surround yourself with persons who are similarly profound and eclectic. During the working day you abhor thoughtless, superficial, and insensitive colleagues.
 
I think the quiz was very accurate, would you like to take it? Click HERE.

Monday, December 9, 2013

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...

 
...with a rosemary tree. Jealous, much?
 
Ha ha. The perks of traveling around the country and having all our stuff in storage (on the other side of the country, mind you). So this years theme is:
 
drum roll....please!
 
Simplicity! And, I'm pleased to report it has been a lot less stressful, and more about giving.
 
 
My mom, and sister beat us to it and sent this box of nicely wrapped gifts from England. It arrived in 6 sharp days.
 
Which is an improvement on a letter we sent certified to Germany. It left the US after 3 days, but has been in limbo for 3-4 weeks in customs.
 
Huh?
 
We've been putting together a parcel for my mom, sister and in-laws, and hope to mail them off soon. Also, we got our cards printed, and will mail those out to those on our list.
 
How your preparations going?

Friday, December 6, 2013

If I Were A Princess

 I'd have these beautiful dresses in my wardrobe... 
Lass of Luxury Dress, #ModCloth
1.
<3 Beautiful <3
2.
Amazing dress
3.
love
4.
Blush gown
5.
Circa 1920s. Sequined Blush Pink Gown.
6.
alice and olivia
7.
Flight Plans Dress, #ModCloth
8.
Ballerina Pink Satin Dress
9.
Beautiful evening dress
.10
 
 One can dream, right?
 
I have all 10 dresses pinned onto my Vintage Fashion board.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Queen Elizabeth II

Princess Elizabeth of York 1934 (now Queen Elizabeth II).
Born on April 26th, 1926. Queen Elizabeth has had an extraordinary life. She was to most precious little girl, who grew up in a loving home where the affectionately called her Lilibet.
Princess Elizabeth in Her wedding dress, November 1947.
She was a beautiful bride, and this year celebrated her 66th wedding anniversary. I actually met her when I was in Middle School. She came to open a local clinic, and that day she wore a purple jacket, and matching hat. It's no secret that I'm a royalist.
 
I pin pictures of her and other royals on my Pinterest page. Follow my board here.

Handel's Messiah by the Carolina Ballet


Last week we went to Handel's Messiah by the Carolina Ballet in Raleigh, North Carolina.

 
It was at the Duke Energy Center of Performing Arts, which is a beautiful building with doric columns and the parking was conveniently across the road. $7 albeit, but affordable.



If you've ever been to the ballet, you'll know it's long. We had coffee that we bought and refilled during the intermission, which is nice especially if your sitting still for over two and a half hours. It was a lovely performance, and someday, I'd like to go again.
 
You can read more about it here.

Monday, December 2, 2013

A Dickens Christmas Celebration

 
Last week we went to the small town of Fayetteville, to A Dickens Holiday. They had the main road closed, and lots of festivities from Victorian carolers, to a penny farthing, to a bobby on the beat
 
We walked around, then decided to eat out at an Italian Bistro, on the patio while watching the parades of people with their candles walk down Hay street to watch the Christmas tree fireworks display.
 
Here's some pictures of our day trip:
 



A penny farthing

  
On the patio at an Italian Bistro.



It helped spread a little Christmas cheer.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Thanksgiving 2013

 
We had a lovely thanksgiving this year at the beach. We had so many delicious dishes also. Then we went to the beach to watch the sunset with our dogs and saw dolphins. A perfect day!
 







 
I'm so thankful for my little family. 

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Coastal North Carolina Thanksgiving Tablescape

Like many families, we've been getting ready for Thanksgiving tomorrow. Only this year is a little different, as we'll be celebrating on the North Carolina coast. Here's how I set our table this year, with lighthouses, birds and starfish while keeping some harvest accents with the basket of fresh apples and gold napkins.
 










I'll be in the kitchen if you need me.
 
Have a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving.

I'm linking up with Share Your Cup Thursday #83

and

Between Naps on The Porch 272nd Tablescape Thursday.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Cauliflower Pie Recipe and Watercolored Thanksgiving Menu


Last night I made Cauliflower pie. Here's the recipe:

I used a store bought a pie shell, but you can make your own. Set it out, to thaw out at room temperature. Separate the shells and poke the base with a fork, this helps it get that crispy texture instead of a soggy texture while it bakes.

Pre-heat the oven at 400 degrees.

Use 1 cauliflower head, cut off the stalks and place into a bowl with water. Place in the microwave for 10 minutes. Depending on your microwave setting, it may cook faster or slower. Test a cooled piece to see if it's cooked to your liking.

In a frying pan sauté 1 diced onion, 1 cup of frozen mixed vegetables and 1 diced pepper.

Add all the ingredients into a mixing bowl; the cauliflower, the sautéed vegetables and 1 can of cream of broccoli.

Stir well, then place into your pie shell. Add the top pie shell and press the edges. I found that slowly lifting the corners before removing helps it stay on better.

Then decorate. I cut out a heart, which allows steam to get out and pressed the edges with a fork.

Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden brown. Let it cool down, before serving.

***

I also water colored our Thanksgiving Menu



In the evenings I enjoy watching old movies and water coloring. I have lots of watercolors of my childhood story, memories, recipes and traditions that my husband and mum think I should compile a book. If I do, it would be lovely to pass down to my children one day.

We usually used canned cranberry sauce, but have been looking for recipes to make my own, any suggestions?


Today, I'm linking up with Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday #188
and with Kelly's Corner SUYL Favorite Holiday Recipes
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