Thursday, July 3, 2014

Happy Birthday, America!






July 4, 2014





All across the USA, 

Americans will celebrate with

parades ~ picnics ~ festivals ~ fireworks.





The Stars and Stripes 

will wave in the breeze.




While Boston and Philadelphia 

will be host to large crowds for the day's celebration, 

neighborhoods from coast to coast will also celebrate.  





Bicycles ~ Wagons ~ Scooters ~ Trucks ~ Cars





All festooned in 

red, white, and blue.





The patriotic spirit 

fills the air!





There will be picnics 

and neighborhood barbecues.





As America Celebrates 

Independence Day!





America's 

238th Birthday 

is upon us.





Wednesday, June 11, 2014

She's A Grand Ole Flag






Celebrating National Flag Week





Honoring the red, white, and blue.



Patriotic holidays and the colors of our country's flag

have always given me a sense of pride and happiness.





I'm proud to be American!





As an elementary teacher for 30 years,

patriotism was an important component

throughout the year's curriculum.




It wasn't an isolated unit, 

but rather a theme that was woven into

various activities and integrated across the curriculum.





I believe it is important to teach children respect 

for our country's flag and other patriotic symbols and .   .   .





That instilling patriotism at an early 

age enables young children to understand 

the responsibilities of good citizenship.





It makes my heart sing to drive 

through my neighborhood and .   .   .






See families proudly 

display the flag of our country.



It reminds me that the US is a country united, 

one of liberty and justice for all.




THE STARS AND STRIPES




THE RED, WHITE,  AND BLUE






OLD GLORY






LONG MAY SHE WAVE





If you are an American,

pay tribute to our flag this week.

"She's A Grand Ole Flag"

Flag Day ~ June 14


All photos were taken by me and enhanced through the Waterlogue App.

Joining
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephant

Monday, June 2, 2014

Chipotle ~ Mystery Ingredient Club






Mystery Ingredient Club

It's our 4th meeting, and


decided to put a little spice in this round of fun.  





~ Chipotle ~

Chipotle comes from the word, chilpoctli, 

when means "smoked chili."

This unique flavor comes from smoke-dried jalapenos.

It's used in many Mexican dishes because the smoky flavor 

and heat of the peppers is perfect for Mexican food.






I live in Texas where 

hot, spicy Mexican food is a staple, 

and one of my favorite dishes is blackened fish tacos 

with spicy chipotle aioli.  The hot days of summer, I prefer

a lighter dish, so I've opted to share a fish taco salad.

  It's got the flavor without all the calories.





Layer your bowl with crisp salad 

greens topped with brown rice.





Next add a layer of salsa made with 

corn, black beans, red peppers, garlic, and onions.





Top that with blackened fish and chopped 

avocado with just a squeeze of lemon.





You can find a printable recipe here for

Spicy Fish Taco Bowls.





My twist on this recipe is to add

a drizzle of Chipotle Aioli.





 It gives it that extra kick 

and yummy flavor.




We can buy Chipotle Aioli locally,

but you can easily make your own.




Check out the links below to see

what other members cooked up 

with the mystery ingredient.


Previous Mystery Ingredients 

You can click the title to go to the original posts.




# 1 ~ Meyer Lemons

Cooking With The Meyers




#2 ~ Creepy Sprinkles Lab

Happy Owl-Ween!





#3 ~ Chocolate

A Little Heart on the Side

 Also joining





Saturday, May 24, 2014

America the Beautiful




America the Beautiful
Celebrate the patriotic holidays of summer 
and indulge your patriotic spirit.

Fill your favorite 
blue and white container
with blooms from your garden.

Set a festive table, 
and dine in patriotic style!

Memorial Day Weekend
It's the prelude to the patriotic holidays of summer.
The perfect opportunity to pack a basket 
in anticipation of a picnic.

Gather together some of your 
Red ~ White ~ Blue 

Spread your quilt and enjoy a picnic 
at the lake, on the beach, your favorite park,
or where ever your heart desires.


Memorial Day
A time to honor all those 
who have given selflessly to their country.  
From the Civil War soldiers 
to those fighting today on foreign soils,
we remember the men and women who have died 
while serving in the US Armed Forces.


Joining

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Best of the Nest @ Simple Details

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Our Wedding China



Cuisine Kathleen's Wedding China Challenge

I didn't have an opportunity to set a table this week for Kathleen's challenge, but as I've read many of the posts I realized one of the aspects I enjoyed most were the stories everyone shared of the special memories about their wedding china.  This made me long to join in the fun.  I remembered I had created a previous post on our wedding china, so I reached back in the archives to retrieve some of the photos to share in the fun of Kathleen's challenge. 




Still in love and

happily married for 39 years this August!

All these years later I wouldn't change a thing,

including our choice of fine china which we

selected together when we registered for our wedding china.





Richard Ginori ~ Palermo Brown

We selected this pattern for its simplicity 

and the touch of chocolate brown.

Our crystal selection was by Denby 

in a rich amber brown with clear stems.  





Richard Ginori china has been produced since 1735.  

As with many of the porcelain 

and china factories in the UK and Europe,

Ginori experienced financial difficulties. 

The company declared bankruptcy in January 2013.





In April 2013, Ginori was purchased by Gucci

with plans to improve the factory in Florence

and continue to produce the 

high-end products under its name.





Palermo Brown has been a 

discontinued pattern since 1988, 

but one can still find it 

through eBay and online retailers.

This pattern was also produced in several other colors.

~ rust ~ green ~ yellow ~ blue ~ black ~




As you can see, 

this is a very versatile pattern.

It's easy to mix it with a variety of linens,

chargers, and patterned salad or dessert plates.

Here it is paired with an inexpensive salad plate, 

Classic Tidings Tartan from Target.





Here with another fine china,

Olde Avesbury by Royal Crown Derby

and Italian pewter chargers.




The colorful Birds of Paradise and Oriental Pheasants 

in Olde Avesbury are taken from an original embroidery.

This pattern was first produced as above in 1932,

but now one can purchase many other color variations

 that have been derived from this pattern.

The green charger is by Zrike.





Our colored crystal by Denby 

compliments both of these china patterns.





Last summer I loaned our china to a friend 

for an alfresco dinner party.

She set an elegant table with gold chargers 

and white linens with an added touch of burgundy.





I love the touch of the Bosc pears and the

gorgeous rose bouquets in urns.  It's fun to see how

someone else chose to use our china.  I'll no doubt copy 

this idea for a future dinner party at our home.





If you enjoy pretty dishes you should hurry on over to 


Cuisine Kathleen 

and see all the beautiful selections  

of wedding china that bloggers have shared this week.


Joining
Wedding China Challenge @ Cuisine Kathleen