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......

SETTING THE TABLE FOR EASTER

It's just me hippity hopping by with an easy Easter tablescape! Come on over and take a peek. It all started with my furry bunny friend.........

Oh So Yummy.....Marshmallow Sweet Potato Loaves

Welcome to Foodie Friday TLB friends!

Do you like quick breads? Today's recipe kind of reminds me of either pumpkin bread or carrot cake, however, it's actually called Marshmallow Sweet Potato Loaves. These little breads bake into the cutest little loaves, and are topped with broiled marshmallows.  Yes, just like the gooey marshmallows in S'mores!

COME ON OVER TO CHECK THEM OUT........

TASTES AND SCENTS OF AUTUMN

Welcome to Foodie Friday!

Autumn or Fall, as many say, is upon us....only 4 more days until it's officially here! Our local weather reports that by next week here in the northeast we will be experiencing that first real bite of Autumn.

I love to bake this time of year. I'm so glad that my hubby's office loves baked goods or I'd have to double up on the daily workouts!

Today's blog is all about tastes and scents of Fall starting with Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread and ending with my favorite Williams Sonoma Mulling Spices.

My interest peaked when I saw the recipe for this unique bread. They had me at the cream cheese center, but then topped it with a cinnamon glaze.....this was too luscious to pass up.  It's a nice twist on an already delicious fall bread.

 Step #1
-Prepare the bread batter according to the recipe. Pour half of the batter into two prepared loaf pans.

Step #2
-Prepare cream cheese filling according to the recipe.

Step #3
-Drop three spoonfuls of cream cheese into each pan.

Step #4
-Swirl the cream cheese with a knife through the batter.

Step #5
-Bake and cool.

Recipe may be found here:

http://nancycreative.com/2010/10/08/pumpkin-cream-cheese-bread/

Step #6
-Drizzle with cinnamon glaze.

If you don't have time to bake there is another way that your home can smell just as wonderful. It's using mulling spices.

Williams Sonoma sells Classic Mulling Spices that may be added to cider or wine and brought to a simmer. The fragrance and taste is full of their signature blend of spices and citrus peel. It makes you want to curl up by the fireside with your favorite blanket and a good book!

Nothing says "WELCOME TO FALL" folks like a warm glass of mulled cider or wine. Wishing you a wonderful weekend filled with everything that makes you feel warm and cozy!

Kathleen

***Sharing on Monday our beautiful trip filled with gorgeous eye candy and lots of Fall decor ideas! You won't want to miss this FALL EXTRAVAGANZA!

IT"S MY STYLE MONDAY---BEAUTIFUL WOODSY EASTER TABLESCAPE

Well I am back in the North. What a flight. Thank goodness my sweet husband made sure I was in First Class on my return flight. Let's just say there was allot of motion going on. It was so bumpy that seat belts were always required, and the rear cabin received no snack or beverage service during the whole 3 hour flight. I was never so happy to hear the squeal of tires on the runway........we made it! YAY!

It's  MY STYLE blog day today and I wanted to have some fun.  I was up early and put together an Easter Tablescape for you that I hope you enjoy. While shopping a week ago in Williams Sonoma, I came across this beautiful tablecloth which was the inspiration for the tablescape today. 

The entire perimeter has a beautiful design. There are Easter bunnies, Lilies, and Dragonflies. I loved the subtle greens and golden yellows on the cream background. It's not always easy to work with any type of print on a tablecloth and a bit more challenging to display it in photos for your viewing. However, I tried as much as possible to capture glimpses here and there so you are able to see where my inspiration came from.

By keeping the center of the table very simple the beauty in the detail of the tablecloth becomes the a large part of the focal point. Simple Pussy Willows and bright yellow Daffodils compliment the woodsy feel that generates from the tablecloth design. I used rattan chargers that bring another more relaxed feel to the table by resembling wood.

 
I used a simple Spring brooch as a decorative feature on the yellow polka dot napkins instead of a napkin ring. This one happens to be one that belonged to my Grandmother.

The egg cups holding the beautiful brown eggs, a gift from my husband's tailor, Frank, who raises chickens.....love those fresh eggs! 

I hope you were inspired by today's Easter Table decor. Easter will be here before we know it!

Wishing you a wonderful day!

Kathleen

***Feel free to leave  a comment. I would love to hear from you!

 See you on Wednesday!