Master Bedroom

I finally got around to taking pictures of the Master Bedroom. My husband gifted me with the Farmhouse Bed from Pottery Barn for our 10 year anniversary back in November. It was delivered at the end of February and I LOVE it! Of course, as with all new things it makes you want to change up everything else. So I am looking for some new nightstands that actually match and new lamps.

I finally settled on the art work over the bed. I purchased some chromolithograph prints of grasses of of e-bay,and am just waiting to get some frames.

The bedding needs help too. Every year I love how it looks in the winter and then spring comes and I want it lighter. So I purchased some pillows at the goodwill that I plan on making new covers for. To remind me to work on that project I keep them on the bed. It doesn't seem to be working though.

On to the dressers. I love how they look in the room. This is my husband’s. My mother gave me this dresser last year and I painted it a lovely cream color. The hardware is the original wrought iron it came with.  I hung three fiesta platters between the windows for something a bit unexpected in the bedroom.

A couple of candle holders from Target hold some grapevine balls. With a little bird to watch over them.

On the other side is a topiary I recovered with boxwood, An urn with a succulent in it and a wooden box for his junk stuff. All of my plants are fake because my kitty likes to eat anything that is alive.

Some antler sheds my husband found draped with his Grandfather’s pocket watch. I love using sentimental items for the everyday. Much better that storing them in a box.

This is my dresser. We bought it an an antiques shop in Illinois when I was pregnant with Miles . It is covered in lead paint but it is not chipping. So we cleaned it up and it had been in the nursery until now. It had the original leaded crystal knobs  and such detail. It’s one of my favorite pieces and now one of the first things I see when I wake up in the morning.

 

I am not completely satisfied with the arrangement but it works until I can get to some of my spray painting projects.  On one side is a pair of mercury glass candlesticks and one of the shells from my Grandmother’s collection.

On the right is a plant in a milk glass goblet, my jewelry box, full of things I never wear, and a piece of architectural salvage for now. The project I am working on is for this little corner.

A little silver tray with the things I wear often and my Grandmother’s watch.

I an taking suggestions on what to do with this space and can’t wait for yard sales to find some new nightstands! I could even go for a longer dresser and get rid of one of the chest of drawers.  This room it always last on the list of things to decorate and gets all the leftovers. I am ready to make it more comfortable and inviting, especially now that I know we are not moving in the next two years.

Linking up to

Patriots and Rebels

I finally got around to getting pictures taken of the children in their Revolutionary War costumes. I had planned to wait until spring and take them to Valley Forge, but Miles tried on his pants and couldn't get them buttoned. So off I went to the studio, before it was to late. Then when I went to look at the proofs, I liked every. single. one.!  So I bought the copyrights to the photos to be able to use them however I wanted. Oh the possibilites I have for my walls. There are quite a few posted here, I couldn't help it, I do have more but I didn't want this to become the longest photo post ever. Enjoy and let me know which group shot you like the best, I can't decide, I put numbers next to each choice.

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Milk Glass and a new project

I have been collecting milk glass for a while now. I love the crispnees of the white and the versatility of many of the pieces. Plus, it's still cheap. I spent between .50 cents to 3.00 for almost all of my pieces. It also reminds me of my Grandmother. I don't remember exactly what pieces she had but I know there were some on her shelves when I would visit. I love collecting things that remind me of something or someone special.  These are some of my favorite pieces.

This is the centerpiece on the breakfast table.

On top of my pantry cabinet. Which is one of my paint projects this summer. Goodby pine~

Many of my pieces are waiting for their new home. I found this china hutch at a local thrift store for 50.00. I can't wait to paint it and put it in the dining room! Currently it is taking up the children's play space in the basement. Don't worry I have the drawer's they are  in the corner. The hutch is sitting behind the base

in this photo making it look so short.It has such beautiful detail!

Won't it look pretty painted black and full of milk glass? I can't wait!

Do any of you have collections of things you love?

How does your garden grow?

This weekend it was so nice we put in our garden. Well, David tilled it in and prepared the soil, and then we helped him plant. We put in the cold weather crops; onions, potatoes, peas and the broccoli sprouts. It's so exciting to get this year started after not knowing if we were coming or going for so long. I weeded and pruned the herb garden, strawberry patch, and the flower beds in the front yard. So nice to see all the little green leaves coming up! 

The tomatoes, and lettuces are growing nicely in their containers, and we will plant the rest after the frost.   We still are working on where we are going to put the salad garden. We only have a 1/2 acre and it is not flat so we have to get creative!

Praying we have a good harvest this year. I have a lot of jars to fill!

Hair Cuts

I finally did it! I let Fiona get her hair cut. It took me a year to work up to this. I love her long hair, but it was just becoming to hard to manage as it is extremely think and tangles easily. It was taking us 30 minutes each day to comb it out and that was with conditioners and detanglers! She loves her hew style and can care for it herself. As it grows out hopefully we can manage it and she an keep it long again. I am going to miss her long braids but she is quite cute with this short style!

I also had Gwen's hair trimmed up a few inches to even it out in hopes that her hair would grow in a bit more. She now sports shoulder length hair that I can sill braid, but no more baby curls. She sure is growing up!

So thankful I have these two beautiful girls!

The green edition

I hope you all had a wonderful wearin' of the green day today! 

We spent the day playing, cooking and reading about the life of St. Patrick from his confessions/letters.

The menu? Shepherd's pie, and Irish brown bread.

Here are the recipies, I use. This is my husbands favorite meal, expecially since I use lamb instead of beef.

IRISH BROWN BREAD

3 cups flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 t salt

1 t baking powder

1 ounce butter (2 Tablespoons)

3/4 pint buttermilk (I used about 1 1/2 cups)

Mix dry ingredients and then add butter.

Mix ingredients together with your fingers until it resembles cornmeal.

Add the buttermilk, mix into a nice dough. Not to dry not to moist.

Don't handle to much.

Flatten into a round and bake in a large tin at 350 degrees(I used a cookie sheet)

for 45 minutes exactly. Put on a rack to cool.

Recipie from Marie Kelleghan-Grehan, Blackrock, Dublin Ireland.

 

SHEPHERD"S PIE

1 1/2 pounds ground lamb
(I cut mine into 1/4 inch pieces as that is the way my husband likes it)

1/2 cup  onion, diced

1 cup carrots, diced

2 teaspoons garlic, minced

1/4 cup Guinness draught stout

1/4 cup cabernet wine

7 ounces (3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons) beef broth

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/4 teaspoon dried basil

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon dried sage

1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram

1 cup peas, frozen and thawed

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons flour

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Brown lamb in  large heavy saucepot over low to moderate heat. Allow to simmer until cooked throughout, about 5 to 10 minutes. Drain excess fat when cooked and add onion, carrots, garlic, stout, wine, broth, Worcestershire sauce, basil, oregano, sage and marjoram. Stir and bring to a simmer over low heat. Cook 15 minutes or until carrots are fork tender. Add peas.

Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt butter and stir in flour to make a roux (paste of equal parts butter and flour used to thicken liquids). Slowly incorporate roux into simmering lamb mixture achieved. Continue to cook for  about  5 minutes to allow roux and flavors to meld. Season with salt and pepper. Remove to a 91/2-inch round casserole dish.

While meat is simmering, preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Potato topping

11/4 pounds russet potatoes, about 4 medium

4 tablespoons butter
1 cup finely grated Irish white Cheddar cheese

1/4 cup milk

1/3 cup chives, chopped

Salt and white pepper to taste

Scrub and peel potatoes. Cut into large pieces. In a large pot, simmer potatoes in water until fork tender. Drain well and return pot to low heat to remove excess moisture. Stir in butter and cheese, gradually adding milk, parsley and  chives. Season with salt and pepper.

Spoon potato topping evenly over meat mixture.

 Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until potatoes are golden brown and crusty on edges and mixture is heated throughout.

I make my ptoatoes before I start on the meat, so that they will be ready. It sounds quite involved but it is really quite east to prepare.

 Recipe adapted from here

ENJOY!

Button Box

Such a simple joy. Omi's button box.