Pine Cone Retreat

Tablescape Thursday ~ Christmas Luncheon

2009-12-09T16:36:00.000-08:00

Please join Susan at Between Naps on the Porch http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

to view lots of pretty tablescapes!

Santa pitcher from Ross purchased a few years ago.

If you know me, you know that there has to be a bunny somewhere in the mix!

I love these little Santa figures I found several years ago at TJMaxx.

Holiday dishes from the Target Christopher Radko collection.

I know you are busy getting ready for the upcoming holidays, so I really appreciate you taking the time to visit my blog! Enjoy your Tablescape Thursday.

~Karen~

Metamorphosis Monday ~ Nutcracker Table

2009-12-06T07:33:00.001-08:00

Please be sure to visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch to visit lots of Metamorphosis Monday posts! http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com My mom and I went shopping this weekend and found some cute nutcrackers. I have never owned a single nutcracker in my life. I especially love this first one...

A little tablescape in the dining room using the new nutcrackers from World Market.

Thanks so very much for stopping by. I just can't believe it is December 6th already and I am just now beginning to put out a few Christmas decorations. I feel that I am way behind. The last of my Thanksgiving guests just left today! ~Karen~

Outdoor Wednesday - Christmas Windows in Germany

2009-11-24T08:28:00.000-08:00

Please join Susan at http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/ to see all of the participants in this Outdoor Wednesday.

I suppose I should say this week is more like "Outdoors Looking In"!

While in Dusseldorf, Germany last week, I was fascinated by the Christmas windows at the department stores. The photos below are from one store in particular - Galeria Kaufhof . I was amazed at the detail. Precious displays depicting little stuffed animals wrapping presents, rolling cookie dough, and shoveling snow.

The following photos are from Heinemann's. Amazing chocolates and goodies including Champagne Truffels and Stollen with Marzipan!

Thanks for visiting me on this Outdoor Wednesday and a very happy Thanksgiving to you all!!

~Karen~

Tablescape Thursday ~ Thanksgiving

2009-11-18T13:46:00.000-08:00

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

~Karen~

Metamorphosis Monday - Pine Cone Wreath

2009-10-18T09:14:00.000-07:00

From a grove filled with pine cones,

wired to a wire frame...

smaller cones on top...

add some ribbon and pumpkins...

my pine cone wreath! Very similar to the ones I used to make with my grandmother.

Thanks for joining me on this Metamorphosis Monday. Please join Susan at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com to read other Metamorphosis Monday posts. ~Karen~

Foodie Friday ~ Pancakes

2009-10-15T17:16:00.000-07:00

Please visit Gollum at http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com to check out fun foodie friday posts.

While in NYC this past summer, our son and his girlfriend told us about Clinton St. Baking Company. They have amazing Banana Walnut Pancakes, as well as Blueberry Pancakes (among many other fantastic things!). We started our breakfast with a plate of fresh fruit.My daughter and I split the banana walnut(wish I had taken a picture before cutting into them!) and they were gorgeous.

I can't even begin to describe how delicious they were!

We were not disappointed. Evidently Bobby Flay had done a blueberry pancake throwdown with the owner not too long ago. Here is their website and you can read more about this fantastic restaurant who was voted "best pancakes" by New York Magazine, 2008. http://clintonstreetbaking.com/

Chicago!

2009-10-13T14:33:00.000-07:00

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Here are more pictures from my recent trip to Chicago (which is such a fabulous city!). I took a two and a half hour tour on a double decker bus and sat out in the open on the top. The weather was chilly and windy and I totally enjoyed the tour. This post is dedicated to you, dear mother-in-law! I know sometimes you are homesick for your hometown...

Please be sure to stop by and visit Susan at A Southern Daydreamer to view lots of fun Outdoor Wednesday posts. http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

Fall in Chicago

2009-09-30T15:38:00.000-07:00

While in Chicago this week it certainly felt like fall. Walking up and down Michigan Avenue, the sidewalks were decked out with beautiful displays of pumpkins, dried cornstalks, bales of hay and adorable scarecrows.

Beautiful displays of mums in autumn colors.

Please join Rhoda at http://southernhospitalityblog.com/ for "It's Fall Y"All!"

One of the last farmers markets of the season in Chicago on Tuesday.

I see apples! Makes me want to bake an apple pie...

Thanks so much for visiting my blog!

~Karen~

Mosaic Monday ~ Cape Cod

2009-09-20T17:41:00.000-07:00

A small mosaic of some of my favorite pictures from Cape Cod this summer...

This is my first Mosaic Monday. I just discovered The Little Red House blog and I think it is charming! Please visit Mary at http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/ to visit and enjoy all of the mosaics.

Nutty Danish Pastry With Caramel Frosting

2009-09-17T16:15:00.000-07:00

Please join Gollum for great posts for Foodie Friday! Visit her at www.designsbygollum.blogspot.com

Nutty Danish Pastry

Step 1 1/2 cup butter

1 cup all purpose flour

2 tablespoons water

Cut 1/2 cup of butter (at refrigerator temperature) into 1 cup of flour until mixture resembles course meal. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons water evenly over surface, and stir with a fork until all dry ingredients are moistened. Shape the mixture into 2 equal balls. Roll out each ball on an ungreased baking sheet and trim to make each a 12"x 3" rectangle.

Step 2

1/2 cup butter

1 cup water

1 cup all purpose flour

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine butter and water in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Add 1 cup of flour all at once and reduce heat to low and cook, stirring vigorously until the mixture forms a ball and leaves the sides of the pan. Remove from heat and cool 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time to the slightly cooled mixture beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla . Spoon the mixture evenly over each pastry rectangle, spreading to edges. Bake the pasteries at 350 degrees for 55 minutes.

Step 3

Spread each pastry with Caramel Frosting while warm, and sprinkle with chopped pecans. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Caramel Frosting

1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 1/2 ~ 2 tablespoons milk

1 1/2 cup sifted powder sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Add brown sugar and cook 1 minute over low heat. Stir in remaining ingredients and beat with electric mixture until smooth (adding more milk if necessary) to make frosting a good spreading consistency. Lovely to enjoy with a cup of tea! Thanks for joining me on my blog and enjoy your Foodie Friday!

~Karen~

Butchart Gardens - Victoria - British Columbia

2009-09-08T17:48:00.000-07:00

Please visit Susan at http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com to enjoy many beautiful Outdoor Wednesday posts!

Tea at The Empress Hotel, Victoria, British Columbia

2009-09-03T15:11:00.001-07:00

If you are ever in Victoria, British Columbia on Vancouver Island, a wonderful treat is the high tea at The Empress Hotel.

We began with a yummy bowl of blueberries with the most wonderful whipped cream on top.

This is the front page from the tea menu. I love the Henry James quote~"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea." How very true.

Sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, and of course...dessert.

The sandwiches included smoked salmon pinwheels, curried chicken, carrot and ginger with cream cheese, cucumber with a horseradish mayo.

Dessert included, lemon tarts with strawberry on top, checkerboard spongecake, shortbread, chocolate cake, as well as little chocolate cups filled with a chocolate and cherry filling!!

How divine. And, I didn't even mention the tea! Of course it too was fabulous. Please join Gollum at http://www.designsbygollum.blogspot.com/ for lots of wonderful posts celebrating Foodie Friday.

Outdoor Wednesday ~ Hydrangeas

2009-09-01T19:23:00.000-07:00

I love Hydrangeas!!

The blue ones below I saw on Cape Cod this summer. I think that they are called Lace Caps.

Also from Cape Cod, I was amazed at these huge, white balls. They look like snowballs! Here is a closer look. Love the color of the Hydrangeas below. These I found in British Columbia.

I am not a gardener. Not even close! But I have always loved these flowers. I believe the color is dependent on the soil and any additives to the soil? I remember that my mother-in-law had the most beautiful purple/blue bush in her yard on Long Island. They were gorgeous, with tons and tons of balls of flowers. I am sure many of you who are gardeners know a whole lot more about these beautiful flowers. I think South Texas is probably too hot to grow these...?

I would love to hear from you and anything more you know about these beautiful flowers~

Thank for visiting ~ Karen ~

Please visit Susan at A Southern Day Dreamer to enjoy lots of Outdoor Wednesday posts.

http://www.asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

Outdoor Wednesday - August 26th - Our 25th Wedding Anniversary

2009-08-22T10:15:00.000-07:00

This week is a very special post for me.

Oh gosh, I don't even know where to start!! I am just so blessed to have a wonderful, romantic husband and beautiful, sweet children. Last week we were in New York City (my husband had business there and our daughter and I joined him). Our son lives in the city and we were looking forward to spending time with him and his lovely girlfriend, which we did. Lots of fun - we went to the Museum of Modern Art, enjoyed lots of incredible food and fun along the way, even saw a show. But, nothing could have prepared me for our trip out to Long Island.

My husband is originally from Long Island. His brother and his wife live out there, and at the end of the week I knew we were going to take a train from the city out to see them. They were to pick us up at the train (my husband, myself and our two kids) and we were going to get something to eat. Upon exiting the train I realized we weren't getting off at the usual stop. My husband rushed ahead of me and promptly hailed a cab and mumbled something to the driver. Okay, now I was really confused, I was still looking around for my brother-in-law. No sooner had we got settled in the cab, the driver called in to dispatch and said we were on the way to the Swan Club. I promptly began to cry...my husband and I had our wedding reception 25 years ago this month at the Swan Club in Roslyn Harbor. We had never been back since!

What a terrific surprise and it was even more special because we could share this magical place with our kids for the first time. We had a beautiful lunch in a room right next door to the room we had our reception those 25 years ago.

The photo below was taken from the window at our table as we dined.

We had a champagne toast...

Check out the swans outlined in flowers. There weren't any real swans around last week. We asked and were told that they come and go throughout the year. The grounds are just beautiful - every flower and tree, and even the puffy clouds in the beautiful blue sky looked perfect.

Here are some photos my daughter scanned of The Swan Club 25 years ago! The top photo looks like it was taken from approximately the same place the photo above was taken.

We look like babies.

And here we are now... I will never forget this day at the Swan Club. It was too romantic for words that my husband arranged this and even more special because the kids could share this with us. Thanks for joining me on my truly special Outdoor Wednesday post!!

~Karen~

Foodie Friday - Baked Seafood Casserole

2009-08-06T18:00:00.000-07:00

While on Cape Cod we had the pleasure of having dinner with some dear old friends in Falmouth. It was my birthday and wow, what a meal. I had all of my favorites!

We sat outdoors on a gorgeous night and here is the view from our table. It was just beginning to get dark.

All of my favorites ~

Baked Seafood Casserole (Scallops, Shrimp and Scrod)

Last but not least, a very yummy birthday cake!! Please be sure and visit Gollum at Designs by Gollum to see lots of great food on this Foodie Friday. http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/Thanks for stopping by!

~Karen~

Outdoor Wednesday in Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod

2009-08-03T19:43:00.000-07:00

Please join Susan at A Southern Day Dreamer - http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/ to enjoy many fun Outdoor Wednesday posts!

I was lucky enough to visit Martha's Vineyard during a very unexpected trip to Cape Cod. I love the fun, intricate emblishments on so many of the houses there. They are the gingerbread houses, the Victorians. My husband didn't share my enthusiasm for walking up and down every street and taking pictures of all the beautiful houses, so my time was very limited!!

This one is my favorite. I love these yummy colors against the blue sky.

The houses are the colors of the frosting on the top of cupcakes. The summer flowers on Cape Cod and the Islands are gorgeous. I will dedicate another Outdoor Wednesday to show you some of those pictures I took while visiting the area.

My photos really don't do these houses justice. The two houses below are in Woods Hole on Cape Cod.

This photo below was taken from the ferry as it left Woods Hole on the way to Martha's Vineyard. I hope you have enjoyed looking at these beautiful houses as much as I have. As always, thanks for stopping by. I really appreciate your comments. Have a wonderful Outdoor Wednesday and I will see you next week. ~Karen~

Tablescape Thursday and a Rustic Peach Tart for Foodie Friday

2009-07-22T16:33:00.000-07:00

This week I am combining my Tablescape Thursday post with a Foodie Friday post. Please visit Susan at http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/ to enjoy lots of fun tablescapes and Gollum at http://www.designsbygollum.blogspot.com/ to drool over some truly beautiful food!!

Walking through Marshall's the other day I found these placemats on clearance and knew they would look great with my green Bordello Pinneiro dishes from Portugal.

The dishes have an assortment of animals; rabbit, rooster, pig and cow.

Rustic Peach Tart I found a recipe for the tart on RealSimple.com and played around with it a bit.

Arthur Court pewter napkin rings - Butterfly.

Rustic Peach Tart Ingredients

1/4 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup sugar

4 peaches, sliced

1 readymade refrigerated piecrust

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Rinse and slice peaches, removing pits. Combine flour, sugar, cinnamon and ginger and add the sliced peaches and toss together.

Unroll the piecrust dough and place on a baking sheet covered with foil or parchment.

Arrange the peaches in the center of the dough and gently fold and pleat the crust about 2" over the peaches - leave the center of the peaches uncovered.

Lightly brush dough with water and sprinkle with 2 Tablespoons sugar.

Bake about 15 minutes at 425 degrees and reduce heat to 350 degrees and continue to bake for another 25 minutes or until golden.

Cool slightly before serving. Top with ice cream for a fantastic summer dessert!!

Foodie Friday Flan

2009-07-16T19:31:00.000-07:00

We love Flan, and it is really so simple to make! There are many recipes with variations of ingredients with everything from cream cheese to bread crumbs, but here is a recipe I like to use that is quite simple.

Flan

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup water

2 large eggs

3 large egg whites

1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

1 -1/2 cups milk

1 tablespoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally. Increase heat to medium-high and continue to cook without stirring until syrup turns a deep amber color (about 5-8 minutes). Immediately pour syrup into a glass pie dish (or 6 individual Pyrex custard cups). Tilt the dish to coat bottom with syrup. Whisk eggs, egg whites in a large bowl. Blend in remaining ingredients. Pour the mixture through a strainer (to remove any lumps) into the sugar syrup coated dish. Bake in water bath* for 60 to 70 minutes. Cool to room temperature and then place in refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight. When chilled, invert onto a platter and gently remove pie dish. Cut into wedges and serve immediately.

In water bath* *water bath = place dish in large roasting or baking pan. Add enough hot water to come halfway up sides of the pie dish.

Just out of the oven, cooling before going into the refrigerator.

Getting Ready to Celebrate July 4th!

2009-07-01T18:19:00.001-07:00

We are having some friends over to celebrate the Fourth of July. It has been so hot here in the Houston area that we are going to have to cook and eat inside. I just can't ask my dear husband to stand over a hot grill!!

We are having homemade cupcakes for dessert.

Thanks for joining me for Tablescape Thursday. I have been having so much fun playing with my dishes!

Please be sure and stop by and visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2009/07/welcome-to-45th-tablescape-thursday.html to enjoy some beautiful eye candy.

I hope you all have a fabulous and safe July 4th.

~Karen~

Outdoor Wednesday - A baby bird in the palm...

2009-06-23T16:30:00.000-07:00

I took these photos a few weeks ago while my brother-in-law was visiting. He walked by our Sago Palm and was surprised to see this. He thought at first that it wasn't real and that I had placed the baby bird in the palm. I guess I have a reputation of over accessorizing!!!

I wonder if he fell from his nest or had just taken his first flight out of the nest and was resting.

He let me get very close!!

So cute!! Thanks for joining me for another Outdoor Wednesday. ~Karen~

Cloche Party - Rabbit Under Glass

2009-06-19T13:23:00.000-07:00

Please visit Marty at A Stroll Thru Life http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com to see amazing displays of Cloches in "It's a Cloche Party"!!

My husband always jokes that when he comes home from work things are always moved around (in fact once many years ago when he came home from an overnight trip, the entire bedroom had been moved to a different room, but that is a story for another day....)

When he passed my newly acquired cloche a few months ago he commented - "Hmm...Rabbit under glass..." I found this cloche at Tuesday Morning on the clearance aisle and loved the etching. As always, thanks so much for visiting my little spot in blogland. ~Karen~

Foodie Friday ~ Devil Dogs

2009-06-11T20:30:00.000-07:00

This is my first Foodie Friday post. Many thanks to our wonderful and talented host at Designs by Gollum!! Please be sure and visit her blog to experience lots of beautiful photos of FOOD!! http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/2009/06/foodie-friday-5-minute-raspberry-cream.html

I am going to share with you a favorite from my childhood...Devil Dogs! My mother would occasionally make these treats for us girls (I am lucky enough to have 3 sisters of which I am the oldest!!)

And this is my new cake plate I bought at the Christmas Tree Shop last month while in New England. I stupidly put it in my carry on suitcase, and when I got it home (much to my disappointment) it had broken in to several pieces! I have glued it back together the best I could....

Did you think I was going to share my "other" devil dogs? No, really they are my sweeties.

Barnum Bailey Here is the recipe that my mother gave me many years ago: Devil Dogs 3/4 cup shortening (12 Tbsp) 1 1/2 cups sugar 2 eggs 3 cups flour 3/4 tsp baking powder 2 1/4 tsp baking soda 3/4 cup cocoa - Hershey's unsweetened 1/2 tsp vanilla 1 1/2 cups milk 1/2 tsp salt Mix all the above ingredients at medium speed with electric mixer and drop on greased baking sheet (I use parchment paper on my baking sheets instead) by the tablespoon (I suppose if you like a smaller size drop by the teaspoon and bake a little less). Bake 7 - 8 minutes at 425 degrees. Cool on wire racks. Filling 3 Tbsp flour 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup sugar 4 Tbsp butter (at room temp) 1/2 cup Crisco shortening (8 Tbsp) 1/2 tsp vanilla dash of salt

In saucepan, cook flour and milk at medium-low heat while stirring until thick. Set aside to cool.

To the cooled mixture add: sugar, butter, shortening, vanilla and salt. Beat with electric mixer at high speed for approximately 8 minutes until fluffy. Now I have to go and put everything away and clean up the mess I have made!!

I hope you enjoy these Devil Dogs as much as we have. ~Thanks for visiting my blog~ Karen

Three Or More Tuesday - Collection of Nancy Drew Books

2009-06-08T17:59:00.000-07:00

This is my first time joining Tam at The Gypsy's Corner in Three or More Tuesday. I thought it would be fun to share my collection of Nancy Drew Mystery books by Carolyn Keene, as well as some of my bunny rabbit collection. Please join Tam at http://gypsycorner.blogspot.com/2009/06/30th-three-or-more-tuesday.html to see lots of other fun posts. As a young girl I was always reading, and most times it was a Nancy Drew book.

I still love a good mystery to this day!

Happy Reading and Thanks for visiting! ~Karen~

Memorial Day Tablescape on the Patio

2009-06-03T16:00:00.000-07:00

Please visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/ to view many wonderful tablescapes!

We had a quiet Memorial Day here in Texas. My brother-in-law came to visit and we grilled chicken and sausage out on the back patio.

I found the red felt flowers at the dollar store. I just cut the stem down and wrapped them around a plain napkin ring.

These red, white and blue placemats came from The Christmas Tree Shop in Nashua, NH. At $1.69 each, I could not resist them. I love the paisley design on top of the small blue and white check. I love red geraniums. They remind me of my grandmother, Annie Thayer. Every year she would have red geraniums in her planters. When I was young I would pluck the red petals off and place them over my nails and pretend that I had just had a manicure!

I have to confess that for the first time ever I have placed silk flowers outside!! These geraniums aren't real! I found them at Garden Ridge Pottery and was amazed at how real they looked. I don't have a green thumb and thought I would give them a try, and.....I really like them!

Here are my Fleur De Lis dishes from The Pottery Barn outlet in San Marcos Texas. This is a seedless watermelon - it doesn't contain any black seeds and is the sweetest watermelon I have ever eaten.

~Thanks so very much for visiting! I really appreciate it ~

Karen

Outdoor Wednesday in Massachusetts

2009-06-02T16:00:00.000-07:00

I visited my sister in Pepperell, Massachusetts recently. Pepperell is an old mill town about 35 miles northwest of Boston. It was settled in the late 1700's.

A carpet of Lily of the Valley....

White Lilacs An old Town Hall... A momument with a plaque listing Revolutionary War soldiers in the town center.

A beautiful blue sky and white steeple...

And...we went on a scenic drive and visited the Yankee Candle Village in South Deerfield, Massachusetts.

Thanks for joining me in my Outdoor Wednesday in Massachusetts! Please check out many wonderful Outdoor Wednesday postings at http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

Metamorphosis Monday Monogram

2009-05-24T20:26:00.000-07:00

Please join Susan at Between Naps on the Porch to see more Metamorphosis Monday posts!

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2009/05/welcome-to-19th-metamorphosis-monday.html

Hi all. I feel that lately I have neglected my blog! I just returned from a wonderful trip to New England to visit two of my lovely sisters. I will try and post some pictures on Outdoor Wednesday from my trip!

Today I have a quick little metamorphosis to share. Sometimes just the smallest of details make me happy ;-) I recently found these tan throw pillows at Tuesday Morning for our bed and thought that they would be great monogramed. And a few days later here they are...

Thanks for visiting my blog and hope you have a wonderful Monday!!

A luncheon on the back patio.

2009-05-13T16:16:00.000-07:00

Please visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch to see lots of beautiful tablescapes!

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/search?q=

I was in CVS this morning and I was inspired! There was a display of various polka dot dishes and pots. The colors were just so pretty and I realized they would go wonderfully with a table topper I had recently found (also with polka dots). I added some daisys from the dollar store and a butterfly from Hobby Lobby. You just never know where inspiration will come from. While at Hobby Lobby, I also found these adorable felt flower votive holders for 50% off - complete with lady bug. It is so windy here that there is no way the candles will stay lit.

The white Oneida Basketweave dishes are very versatile. As many of you have mentioned, a nice set of white dishes is invaluable! I have found that I am using them regularly.

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I truly appreciate it!

Karen

Outdoor Wednesday in Central Park

2009-05-12T18:51:00.001-07:00

Please visit

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/search?q= for many beautiful photos of the great outdoors.

Two of my favorite things about Central Park - Tavern on the Green and the Shakespeare Garden. I love the Chinese lanterns, they look even more amazing at night.

Our son, who lives in NYC introduced us to the Shakespeare Garden a few years ago. It is fun to see it at different times of the year. These pictures were taken last May. You can learn more about the Shakespeare Garden in Central Park by visiting: http://www.centralparknyc.org/site/PageServer?pagename=virtualpark_thegreatlawn_shakespearegarden Be sure to double click on this next one...the violets. Then you can read the plaque.

I hope you have a wonderful Outdoor Wednesday!

Thanks for visiting my blog.

-Karen-

A Trip To Mexico On Outdoor Wednesday

2009-05-05T16:21:00.000-07:00

Please visit http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/ to enjoy many wonderful outdoor Wednesday posts.

These pictures are from a trip I took in January to Cabo San Lucas. Look at the splash in the ocean. That is a whale. I tried so many times to get a picture while the whales were breaching, but each time was only able to get the splash!

The tiny little spots on the sand are people on horseback. A pretty spot in Todos Santos, about an hour or so north of Cabo. Sunset over the Pacific. A gorgeous site each night. Thanks for visiting. May you enjoy a beautiful sunset tonight!

Our Front Porch

2009-05-04T14:37:00.000-07:00

This Porch and Patio Party was the wonderful idea of Barb over at Grits and Glamour. http://gritsglamour.blogspot.com/2009/05/porch-and-patio-party.html Please visit her to see some beautiful porches and patios.

Welcome to our front porch. One of our babies is waiting by the front door to welcome you. Oops, you can see my reflection in the glass as I take the photo. I am experimenting with photo programs and I used a cartoon effect for the above picture.

His and hers rocking chairs. My husband and I love to sit out here. We do get afternoon sun, so pretty soon we will only be sitting out here in the mornings. It's nice to sit with a cup of coffee and watch whatever (or whoever) is passing by!

View from the rockers. Another view from the rockers.

Magnolia tree.

Thanks so much for visiting. I'll be working on the back porch next. Have a wonderful Porch and Patio day.

Breakfast for one!

2009-04-29T18:00:00.000-07:00

Breakfast for one in the bedroom today...

Our Magnolia tree has many large buds on it. Yesterday the first flower opened! I love the shiny wax leaf and the beautiful large blossom.

The white plate that I am using as a charger and the cup and saucer are part of a set I recently bought at Ross. Casual Settings by Oneida and the pattern is Basketweave. (Sixty five pieces for $30!!)

These two strawberry glass plates I have had for many years. I bought them in Brewster, Massachusetts on Cape Cod at a gallery called Sydenstricker Glass.As described on their website, http://www.sydenstricker.com/ "Two sheets of glass are cut to fit a mold made out of high fire terra cotta clay. The first sheet is decorated by sifting powdered glass through a stencil. The stencil is then carefully removed, and the second sheet of glass is laid over the decorated first piece. Both are placed on a mold and put into a fifteen hundred degree kiln for five hours. At this point, the two pieces of glass fuse, assuming the shape of the mold and locking in the colored design. The kiln is then turned off until the glass is cooled, about 40 hours later."

Please visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for another fun filled Tablescape Thursday.

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2009/04/welcome-to-36th-tablescape-thursday-and.html Thanks for visiting Pine Cone Retreat. Have a wonderful day...

Outdoor Wednesday in New York City!

2009-04-27T13:52:00.000-07:00

Please visit A Southern Daydreamer http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/ to see many other beautiful Outdoor Wednesday posts!

We had a quick trip to NYC this past weekend. It was very warm!! Almost too warm in the sun. We tried walking only on the shady side of the streets! I absolutely LOVE lilacs. I grew up in Massachusetts were we had a large lilac tree in our yard. We would take cuttings and put them in water and the whole house would smell so lovely. They are so fragrant. I miss that now that we live in Texas!

The flowering trees were so beautiful.

Does anyone know what kind of trees these are?

Loads of daffodils, tulips and hyacinth.

New York City is certainly beautiful in the spring!! Thanks so much for visiting me on this outdoor Wednesday.

Tablescape Thursday from Laurie's Home Furnishings

2009-04-21T11:31:00.000-07:00

Please join Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for some terrific tablescapes!http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2009/04/welcome-to-35th-tablescape-thursday.html

It has been a busy week here at Pine Cone Retreat, but I did get out this week to visit one of my favorite spots. On Tuesday I visited one of my favorite stores - Laurie's Home Furnishings - in Tomball, Texas. There are always wonderful tablescapes featured and they are always changing. Today I was not disappointed!!

I love to walk around this store and get inspired. I wish that I had a better camera (or that I was a better photographer...) because these photos really don't do the store justice.

I just love this vignette...

and the chandelier...

So many pretty things!

Upon entering the store I checked to make sure photos were okay. Every store is different and I know some places have a policy of no photos. Thanks for visiting and hopefully I will be back next week with my own tablescape.

Breakfast in Blue and White Fleur de Lys

2009-04-15T14:30:00.000-07:00

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2009/04/welcome-to-34th-tablescape-thursday.html Please join Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for some fantastic tablescapes!

Welcome to a breakfast in blue and white... I bought these fleur de lys dishes a few years ago at the Pottery Barn/Williams Sonoma outlet store. I think they are fun to use for breakfast - I especially like the deep bowls - perfect for cereal or fruit. They came in yellow and also red. Wish I had the other colors as well! I sure wish I had noticed how crooked the candles were while I was taking my pictures ;)

I used all items that I had for this tablescape except for the tuilips. I went to Kroger with red tulips in mind - that seemed to be the one color that they didn't have! I like yellow with blue too:)

The silverware comes from my grandmother, the silver sugar and creamer from my husbands grandmother. Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday!

Target birds on holiday - Sonny and Cher

2009-04-14T17:39:00.000-07:00

This clever idea comes from Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. Visit her blog to see more fun!! http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2009/04/target-birds-on-holiday.html Well, it doesn't appear that the Easter Bunny has left us much in our basket. Time to go on holiday and see where we land...

We invited Mr. Rubber Ducky to join us, but he says he has plans in a bathtub...

This nest looks like a lovely place to holiday!A little entertainment before bedtime -Sonny pecking at the keys and Cher singing for our supper!

Thanks so much for joining us on our little holiday jaunt...

Nature Walk

2009-04-14T09:45:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to our wonderful host, Susan at http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/ for Outdoor Wednesday!

Please join me for a nature walk. It is the most glorious day here in the north Houston area. We live across the street from a lake (not very large, maybe 12 acres) with a path which goes all the way around. It takes me about 20 minutes to walk it. Today in honor of Outdoor Wednesday, I brought the camera.

You can see why I chose to name my blog, Pine Cone Retreat!

I was so happy to see these pretty white ducks. Glad that my camera and I didn't scare them off!!

Thank you so much for joining me on my walk and for visiting my blog on my first Outdoor Wednesday.

"Warming" up our bathroom window!

2009-04-12T18:41:00.001-07:00

This is my debut into the the world of Metamorphosis Monday. Many thanks to Susan at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2009/04/welcome-to-13th-metamorphosis-monday.html

After much thought, I decided that our bathroom window needed...something. I was thinking a wooden or matchstick blind. We don't need it for privacy because the window is frosted. But something seems missing...

Boring and blah! I wasn't sure what I wanted, so I went to my favorite fabric store - Interior Fabrics - and walked around and around in circles totally confused. I knew I only needed 5 yards of fabric, but which fabric? They were having a spring sale (lucky for me!) I found a stripe with colors that we used in our bedroom and I did want to tie the two rooms together. I really do enjoy sewing and it has been a long time since I brought out the sewing machine.

Here is my metamorphosis! I think it warms up the bathroom nicely. I am still thinking of adding a wood blind or matchstick. What do you think?

And here is a peek at the bedroom that inspired the colors... Complete with one of my babies.

Tablescape

2009-04-08T19:46:00.001-07:00

Welcome to my tablescape. I found these dishes at TJ Maxx ages ago and actually just saw them there again last week - Queen's - The Royal Horticultural Society - Hookers Fruit.

My little Royal Albert Beatrix Potter figures I collected about 20 years ago. I think they are so cute.

Notice the Target bird salt and pepper shakers...

Here is the group all together - Benjamin Bunny, Jeremy Fisher, Mrs. Apple and Jemima Puddleduck.

A ceramic bunny pushing a basket of ceramic eggs.

Thanks so much for visiting, and many thanks to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting this lovely event! http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/ !

Spring has sprung!

2009-04-03T19:00:00.000-07:00

I just love spring. Everything has greened up and the temperatures are perfect. It feels good to be outside on a day like today here in the Houston area. Here are some pictures from the front yard and the lake across the street. I took the pic of the ducks with my cell phone. I had been on the computer all morning and my husband (always the comedian), came and looked over my shoulder. He said "quit with the blogging and let's go jogging". He is a real riot. I don't jog anywhere ever...but I did go for a walk with him around the lake and immediately we came upon these lovelies. I have got to learn to take my camera with me, but at least I had my cell phone!

Updating my Pine Cone wreath for spring.

2009-03-13T09:27:00.000-07:00

With spring in the air here in Texas, I have updated my pine cone wreath for spring with ivy, ribbon, bunnies, eggs and a nest. However, today we are back to colder wet weather :(

Tablescape Thursday

2009-03-11T18:41:00.000-07:00

I am excited to participate in Tablescape Thursday for the first time. Many thanks to http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/ !

I am ready for a spring luncheon with my Johnson Brothers dishes - Fleurette pattern - and my wooden roosters!

The glassware belonged to my husbands grandmother.

Beaded strawberries look as if they are sugared.

Stop by Smiling Sally on her Blue Monday!

2009-03-08T21:30:00.000-07:00

Texas Bluebonnets

2009-03-08T20:04:00.000-07:00

This is my first Blue Monday post ever. The first thing that came to mind - Texas Bluebonnets.

These photos were taken in Brenham last April when my daughter and I were driving out to Austin on Highway 290. We had the babies with us - our two shih tzus - Barnum and Bailey, and couldn't resist pulling over and getting out of the car to check out this beautiful field of wild flowers. There were quite a few people who had also stopped, so the challenge was to get a photo without other people in the frame.

Happy Monday!

I collect bunnies and rabbits...

2009-03-06T20:43:00.000-08:00

I have been collecting bunnies and rabbits of all sorts for over 20 years. They are all around our house, inside and out. I honestly don't remember how I started with this obsession, but they are simply a part of our home. My mother found this wonderful fellow at a market in Boston. I remember the day she came across him. She called and told me she was sending me something very special. We have moved many times, but this guy always manages to find a lovely spot of honor in our home no matter what the season!!

Welcome to my Pine Cone Retreat.

2009-03-06T04:47:00.000-08:00

When I was a little girl my grandparents lived next door to us. We lived in Massachusetts, out in the country with lots of nature all around. We lived near the top of a hill on an old winding road. There were horses in the pasture across the street, a long stone wall bordering the yard, a garden filled with roses, and pine groves and woods behind us. My grandmother was way ahead of her time. She baked, cooked, entertained, washed, ironed and she did everything well- as we would say today, she was a domestic diva. Not only did she do it all well, she did it all while whistling. I could hear her out in her back yard whistling like a bird as she hung the clothes out on the line.

In the fall grandmother and I would go on walks into the woods gathering pine cones. She with her walking stick and a large canvas bag. Once the snow began to fall we would descend into the basement of her gray cape style home. She had a long work table set up with folding chairs surrounding it. On the table were wire frames of various sizes, pine cones and chestnuts. She invited friends and family over to make pine cone wreaths for the holidays. She did this every year for as long as I can remember. I have sweet memories that I will always treasure. Here I am - 50 something - and I live in the midst of tons of pine cones - Texas pine cones. They are different from the long, slender, finger like pine cones of New England. Instead they are large and very plump. Oh how I wish my grandmother could see these!

This past winter I decided I would wire some pine cones together and see where it brings me. Well, it has brought me here to this blog which I have begun in honor of my grandmother - Annie Thayer. I think about her often. In some ways I am like her. I enjoy baking, entertaining, gardening and the keeping of our house.

Thanks for reading. I have many stories to share, of grandmother and of myself making my way through life.