Bits and Bobs

Hi There,

I have been missing from blog land due to the birth of my granddaughter, Madison.  We travelled to Erie, PA last week and was able to be there for her and the family.  It was a great time spending quality time with her.

I bought this little outfit with the cap, she looked so adorable!  I just wanted to squeeze her in this outfit!  I also went grocery shopping for the family and prepared some home cooked meals which they really appreciated.

We also visited Edinboro, PA where my son completed his college.  

While in PA, we went to visit my 93 year old grandfather who is in a rehab facility until he is able to mend and go back to his own apartment.  It was so great to see him.  I also was able to visit my mother and sister and nieces and nephew on this trip but it was a very quick visit.

Hopefully I will get back to PA soon so I can spend more quality time with everyone.

I am back home now and need to get some spring cleaning completed in my home.  Hope you are enjoying your week so far!

Madison Has Arrived!

Well I am happy as a lark!  My granddaughter, Madison Ann was born 4/23/14 at 1:13 p.m.

Mom and Dad are doing well and so is Nan and Granddad! (HA!)

Again, welcome Madison Ann!

I had to show off her cute monogrammed blanket that I bought for her.  It was ordered from Joann Grace Designs.  See here.  Don't you just love it?

Madison has a full head of hair and is so cute too!

Here I am holding the little bundle of joy!

I am sure I will have more photos of Madison soon!

HAPPY EASTER!!!!

Wishing you a lovely Easter!

Easter Table 2014 and Easter Eggs

Hello There,

Hope you have been enjoying your week. I thought I would share a quick Easter table setting that I made before I start to pack my bags to see the birth of my first granddaughter, Madison. She is supposed to arrive soon according to my son and family.  Oh I am getting so excited, can't you tell?

So here is my table setting.....

I didn't go overboard with the tablescape.  The table runner is from Pottery Barn that I found on sale awhile ago.  The pattern includes flower petals, chickens, birds and other animals.  I thought the colors were appropriate for Spring/Easter.

I used gold and green cloth napkins with assorted flower metal napkin rings.  The nest with eggs were a recent purchase.

The egg cups were a purchase from World Market and I dyed the eggs.  I love the blue dyed one here.  It reminds me of a robin's egg.

I thought these lavender variegated tulips were pretty so I bought them for the centerpiece.

I also dyed some eggs.  By using the chart on the back of the dye, I made several colors for the eggs.

So what are your plans for Easter?  I hope you have a wonderful one!

Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

How was your weekend?  We have had a beautiful weekend here in South Carolina so I was able to work in the yard some.  It was a great workout also for me!

I felt like baking today so I made some carrot cake cupcakes that I have not made in years.  The recipe is a basic carrot cake recipe but the cream cheese frosting is what really makes them taste so good.

Carrot Cake Cupcakes:

2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 1/4 cups canola oil
4 eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4 cups grated carrots (4 to 5 large carrots)
1 cup chopped pecans - optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease cupcake tin or use muffin tins.

Sift together baking powder, flour and baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.  Set aside.

In large mixing bowl, combine oil, eggs, both sugars and vanilla and whisk until the mixture looks light and pale in color.  Fold in the flour mixture in thirds until just combined.  Gently fold in the grated carrots and 1/2 cup of pecans until combined.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until set.

Cool and frost with cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 8 ounce cream cheese - softened
1 stick unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups confectioner sugar

In medium size bowl, beat cream cheese and softened butter until smooth and creamy.  Add vanilla. Stir in confectioner sugar.

**The remaining 1/2 cup chopped pecans can be used to decorate tops of cupcakes......

Thanks for your visit!  If you do make these I would love to hear how they turn out......

A Bird Sanctuary in the Bathroom

Hello There,

Did you notice my title?  I bet you thought I had birds nesting in my bathroom.....No, I have decorated the room with birds.

First, I bought this adorable shower curtain from World Market.  I first saw it about a month ago on display in the store and thought it would look great in my bathroom.

This room was a nuisance to photograph with my lens that I have now.  I am actually researching for another lens and I can't wait to learn how to use it and get better angles, close ups and better photography overall.

All of the bird art was from my sister, Tara. I just love the rustic look of them, not alone the different colored frames.

Did you see the sea grass cube that I had in the corner?  Yes - that was another steal from TJ Maxx.  I just love it and basically can use it all around my home.  So for now it is staying in the bathroom.  I added some of my apothecary jars (Pottery Barn) and filled them with cotton balls and European soaps.

Do you see the other bird on my glass ring holder?

I just filled a textured basket with a Pottery Barn Faux Poppy.  The wooden bird on spindle was bought at a store back in Penna.

Close up

Well it is time for my afternoon walk and to enjoy the beautiful outdoors.  Hope you are enjoying your week.

Why do I Blog?

Over two years ago, I pressed the publish button on my first post in Blogger.  Although at first it was a little intimidating, it was also a great experience.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/181551428697899901/

I have always loved home decorating, baking, cooking, gardening, photography, etc. and thought that blogging would be a  creative outlet for me.  I actually was inspired by reading Miss Mustard Seed's blog. See blog here.  She wrote the first blog that I thoroughly enjoyed and I thought I might actually try this myself.

Me (left hand side, and Marion - Miss Mustard Seed, Right hand side)

Almost three years ago, I had the opportunity to meet Marian (Miss Mustard Seed) in person at Luckett's Market and so glad that I did.  What a wonderful, down to earth person she was, not alone the most talented furniture painter and DIYer that I have ever met. At the time, she was not nearly as 'big' in the blogland as she is now.

Another reason I blog is the inspiration from other bloggers that I have met and the friendships that I have enjoyed while blogging.  Now I look back at my early blogging and critique my photography.  Yes,  I think that I have improved on my photography and want to further improve my skills!


Overall I am so glad that I make this choice and hopefully will continue with it.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/559783428655522292/

So tell me why do you blog?  I would love for you to share with me!

A Bike Ride Around My Neighborhood

It was such a beautiful day here in Beaufort, I got out my bike and took a cruise on my bike around the neighborhood.

I love my bike, this photo was taken with my I-Phone.....But see my basket on the front of my bike, well I had my camera in it so I took some quick shots of some of my favorite homes within my neighborhood.  My neighborhood is small and there is only one circle of homes (each home is a different style) which I love!  In the middle of the circle, there is a green with oaks, flowering bushes and trees.  There is an alley behind the homes with some models that have garages.  We have a garage and I am glad that we do.

Do you remember this statue of Fidella?  I had it in a recent post.  See here.  She is located on the green area of our little neighborhood....

The first is mine of course.  Can you see the blooming Azaleas?  I love them, however they do not last too long!

Some more Azaleas in bloom!

I tried to take photos of the homes that did not have cars parked in front of their home.  Aren't the palm trees beautiful in front of this home?

And of course I had to include the beautiful Spanish Moss hanging from the trees!  I just love it!

I hope you are having a lovely week!  Thanks for your visit!