THROWBACK---PRESERVING PUMPKINS AND GOURDS

Good Morning TLB friends,

As I am starting to decorate the exterior of the house for Fall, I thought I would re-share one of the most visited blogs I have written. It was appreciated by so many of you as you prepare for your own decorating......here ya go!

HAPPY DECORATING & PRESERVING!

Kathleen

Just click on the link below:

http://thelavenderbouquet.blogspot.com/2014/09/preserving-pumpkins-gourds.html

EMBRACING FALL ON FOODIE FRIDAY

It's hard to believe yesterday was the first day of Fall. With temps remaining in the 90's here, I decided to stay inside a nice cool air conditioned house and bake for you!

Welcome to Foodie Friday friends.........

CLOUDY GLASS DILEMMA

Wow----it's Tuesday already!

We spent the weekend in Chicago with our youngest daughter. Hubby had a convention to attend on Friday, so my daughter and I had a grand ole time during the days with daddy joining us on Saturday! I'll be sharing our adventures in an upcoming blog.

Today is all about "my cloudy glass dilemma."  

HORS D'OEUVRES IN A JAR---HOW FUN!

Welcome to Foodie Friday friends.....

I've been spending my evenings recently searching for Italian appetizers that would be something I could serve our guests on our "Napa Patio." It looks like the completion of my patio vision will have to wait until Springtime to be finished, but hey, it just gives me more time to plan, and pick out just the right selections!

Since we'll have to carry everything from our outdoor kitchen, across the pool deck, and down a short flagstone walkway, I thought today's recipe might be a good choice because of its portability. These little jars are called.... POLENTA JARS WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND RED WINE MUSHROOMS.

EMBRACING OPEN CONCEPT LIVING

Welcome to Tuesday friends!

I love the changes of seasons with Fall and all of it's glory being one of my favorites. In the north the first bite of cool air is a welcome relief after the warm summers and in Texas it is much the same. The difference is right now it's high 80's to low 90's during the days, and low 70's at night. How divine!

FOOD AND FRIENDS

Welcome......

One thing that moving makes you do, is sort!! As I was perusing my old cookbooks, I came across a tattered, paper spiral bound cookbook, that was gifted to me in 1992 from "my Ohio bestie" Pam. 

We moved to Ohio from Western NY in 1988, and became neighbors with Pam and her family who had moved from Illinois. We were two of many transplants in Springboro that bound together, forming the greatest circle of friends, with many of us remaining friends to this day!

COFFEE BAR WITH A UNIQUE TWIST

 Welcome to Tuesday TLB friends!

I hope you all had a great Labor Day weekend. Hubby and I welcomed a much less hectic schedule and enjoyed some down time. Our neighbor hosted a small party for those of us that have moved into our homes with about 6 couples attending. It's nice now to be able to put a name with a face as everyone passes by.

Leading up to the weekend I had been focused on organization. It was terrific to get things out of boxes and into cabinets, however, where I place things while unpacking is not necessarily the best place to store them. I do a lot of rearranging once we start actually living in our home. Certain traffic patterns and convenience dictate where items will end up.

I started in the kitchen and defined a Coffee Bar area as quickly as we moved in. When my sister unpacked all of the coffee mugs we designated the cabinet above the area their space. But after living here for a bit I decided to try something new......