Easter Decor, Dishes and Desserts

Easter decor, dishes, and desserts hops to mind at this time of year.

 Carrot Painting, Art for Kitchen

Carrot Art Giclee Still Life Print

To look upon beautiful Easter decor as a work of art is no over eggaggeration of the term. Selecting items for show and tell comes with thought.

gold-dragonfly-accent

Sure, a rabbit here and a bunny there is called for, but mostly my choices play to pastels, themes and dishes appropriate for the entire spring into summer season.

faux-pink-stems-variety

Faux picks and bushes in ever lovely shades of pink were recently purchased with the Easter decor centerpiece in mind.

garden-stroll

On the Saturday afternoon before Easter Sunday I’ll stroll around the yard gathering assorted fresh greenery stems to fill in the spring bouquet.

spring vegetable board

Spring Vegetable Board

Easter company will love this fresh with full on color and nibbles spring vegetable board from My Moonstone Kitchen.

Click on the link below the photo for recipe information.

roast-pork-loin

Country Living – Photography by John Kernick

Roast Pork Loin with Herb Stuffing

Ingredients

1⁄3 cup kosher salt

1⁄3 cup sugar

2 teaspoon juniper berries

2 teaspoon cardamom pods

2 teaspoon whole peppercorns

1 teaspoon allspice berries

2 bay leaves, lightly crushed

1 (3 ¾ to 4 pound) pork loin roast, trimmed, butterflied, and tied

3 tbsp. butter

3  stalks celery, finely diced

1  small onion, finely diced

3  garlic cloves, finely chopped

2 cups panko breadcrumbs

1 cup chopped fresh parsley

1 tbsp. chopped fresh sage

2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

¼  cup chicken stock

Directions

In a medium pot, bring 2 cups water, salt, sugar, juniper, cardamom, peppercorns, allspice, and bay leaves to a boil.  Stir to dissolve sugar and salt.  Remove from heat and stir in 4 cups cold water.  Set brining liquid aside and let cool to room temperature, 20 to 30 minutes.

Place pork loin in a 2-gallon resealable plastic bag and carefully pour in cooled brining liquid. Seal and refrigerate, 8 to 12 hours.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter until sizzling. Add celery, onion, and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.  Add breadcrumbs, parsley, sage, and thyme, stirring to combine, and cook 1 minute more.  Add chicken stock and toss until breadcrumbs have absorbed all of the liquid.

Remove stuffing from heat and let cool to room temperature, 30 minutes. (Stuffing can be made up to 1 day ahead and refrigerated.  Bring to room temperature before using.)

Preheat oven to 500°F.  Remove pork loin from bag and discard brine; pat meat dry with a paper towel.  On a work surface, untie pork loin so that it lies flat, fat side down.  Spread stuffing mixture atop meat in an even layer. Starting from one of the long sides, roll the pork loin into a tight spiral.  Tie at 1 ½-inch intervals with 12-inch lengths of kitchen twine.

In a roasting pan fitted with a rack, place pork loin fat side up.  Roast 15 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 250°F.  Continue to cook for about 1 hour and 35 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the pork loin reaches 145°F.

Transfer pork loin to a wire rack to rest for 15 minutes before serving.

-Country Living Magazine

floral compound butter

Edible-Flower Compound Butter

Ingredients

2 teaspoons green peppercorns

2 teaspoons white peppercorns

2 teaspoons black peppercorns

1 teaspoon pink peppercorns

1 pound butter, softened

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives

1 tablespoon minced shallot

2 teaspoons minced garlic

2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh oregano

Radish flowers

Society garlic flowers

Oyster leaf flowers

Directions

In a coffee grinder or using a mortar and pestle, grind green, white, black, and pink peppercorns until crushed.

Using a medium bowl, beat butter with a mixer at medium-high speed until smooth.  Add peppercorns, chives, shallot, garlic, and oregano.  Beat at medium speed until combined.

Transfer from mixer to parchment paper. Form butter into a log.  Press radish flowers, garlic flowers, and oyster leaf flowers onto log.  Roll in parchment, and twist at both ends. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Store in refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Victoria Magazine

speckled-malted-coconut-cake

Speckled Malted Coconut Cake

Knock out roses coming into spring view serve vase and creations.

red knockout roses

Be it from the supermarket bakery or cake mix box, decorating the top of a  spring or Easter dessert cake with flowers or candies is an easy way to take  desserts to visually pleasing heights.

fresh-roses-cake-topper (1) (2)

File this for Mother’s Day brunch ideas.

raspberry-cloud-cake-recipe

Raspberry Cloud Cake

In the style of vintage is my go-to choice of serveware, and this house favorite cake stand in Jadeite fits beautifully with your Easter decor and spring motif.

Jadeite Footed Loop Design Cake Stand

Jadeite Footed Loop Design Cake Stand

Buttercream frosting tinted to a soft yellow topped with edible flowers delivers a simply elegant result.

Pansies offer loads of color, plant and prosper rather easily, and make a fantastic visual and flavorful splash when added to salads and spring desserts.

pansies-in-garden

When decorating dishes and desserts and garnishing beverages with edible flowers you’ll want to pick the flowers early in the morning.

Gently rinse off your gathered flowers with cool water allowing to dry on a paper towel.  Add garnish immediately before serving.

If using flowers at a later time you can place them in the refrigerator where they will keep for 2-3 days.

buttermilk-cupcakes-with-swiss-meringue-buttercream

Buttermilk Cupcakes with Swiss Meringue Buttercream

Cadbury mini eggs, chocolate almond bark shavings, and an egg carton display elevate these vanilla cupcakes to an Easter dessert eggstravaganza.

White Chocolate Easter Egg Cupcakes

White Chocolate Easter Egg Cupcakes

Cadbury mini eggs, chocolate almond bark shavings, and an egg carton display elevate these vanilla cupcakes to an Easter dessert eggstravaganza.

fresh eggs

Farm fresh eggs ready to go for Easter decor, dishes and desserts.

Creamy-Lemon-Tart-Recipe-with-Almond-Crust

Easy Creamy Lemon Tart Recipe with Almond Crust Recipe

Thoughtful touches and delicious treats dressed with visually impressive details invite charm to spring get-togethers and Easter celebrations.

Darleen-signature-love

Show & Tell

Spring In The Garden

Spring in the garden time is officially upon us.  On that note, happy first day of spring!

spring-in-the-garden-vegetables

Warmer and longer days set the tone for getting outdoors, back to nature, and into the green of things.

garden-design-ideas

House & Home – Photography by Janis Nicolay

“Springtime is the land awakening.
The March winds are the morning yawn.”

—Lewis Grizzard

flowers-mix-garden

spring-garden-lilies

Spring gardening tips prove once again it’s time to ready, plan, and plant spring flower, vegetable, and herb gardens.

spring-tomatoes

Three-Piece Live Mini Tomato Heirloom Set

Tomatoes rate high as a spring into summer delicacy at Places In The Home.

homegrown-tomatoes

pickled-tomatoes (1)

Give your tomato plants a good grow by feeding the soil with a small amount of fertilizer and compost at planting time.

Tomato tips:

Tomatoes at room temperature release more flavor compounds when cut up compared to the taste of tomatoes that have been refrigerated.

That deliciously explains why garden ripe tomatoes from the vine gathered, washed, cut up or sliced, and served bypassing the fridge altogether tastes so good.

garden-grown-carrots

Consulting those sources in the gardening know for the answers to the gardening what, when, where, and how questions gardeners have gets it growing.

Maule Seed Book 1908 seeds cover print

The Maule Seed Book 1908 Giclee Matte Print

Gardening Apps:

GardenTags

Gardenize

From Seed to Spoon

Garden Journal from the Old Farmer’s Almanac

ground soil

All gardens grow in soil, but not all gardens grow in the ground.

Wood Raised Garden Bed with Lockable Wheels, Liner

Wood Raised Garden Bed with Lockable Wheels, Liner

Designed for a four-foot-square raised bed, here is a simple spring vegetable garden plan ready to advise and download from Better Homes and Gardens.

Simple Spring Vegetable Garden

spring-vegetable-garden-plan

Costway Wooden Vegetable Raised Garden Bed Backyard Patio Grow Flowers Planter

Costway Wooden Vegetable Raised Garden Bed Backyard Patio Planter

fresh-garden-green-beans

Burpee Early Italian Bush Bean Seeds

Supplying oodles of summer and spring garden goals plans is the
8 Vegetable Garden Layout Plans to Boost Your Homegrown Harvests.

spring-summer-vegetable-garden-plans

Better Homes & Gardens also offers plans for creating the perfect cottage garden suited to your taste, zone, and design vision.

Garden Plans for Cottage Style

Garden Plans for Cottage Styles

Knowing what and when to plant according to your planting zone gets gardening off to a growing start.

Here’s the link to the USDA Planting Zone Map for U.S. Growing Zones.

planting-flowers-in-soil

Gardening is good clean happy fun.

Planting and potting in the soil gets your hands dirty which is believed to increase serotonin levels.  Research shows when our hands have contact with soil and a specific soil bacteria, Mycobacterium vaccae, the release of serotonin in the brain is triggered.

Serotonin is not only a natural antidepressant but it strengthens the immune system.

“In spring, at the end of the day,
you should smell like dirt.”

—Margaret Atwood

terrace-garden

House & Garden – Photography by Sarah Cuttle

Gardening nurtures mind, body and soul providing a relaxing, healthy, delicious and visually gratifying result.

Call it green therapy.

boxwood-garden

Southern Living – Photography by Lisa Romerein

Vegetable and flower gardens grow well together, companion gardening if you will.

Flowers growing in a vegetable bed will attract bees and beneficial insects. Lending their natural way spreads pollen around encouraging vegetable plants to thrive in growth and the production of food.

person-watering-garden

Markus Spiske

Composite shaped flowers such as sunflowers, cosmos, daisies, and zinnias attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

This helpful Pollinator-Friendly Native Plant Lists from The Xerces Society takes the guesswork out of what plants best in your region.

different-kinds-of-fresh-herbs

Herbs add the scent of spring into summer freshness and provide visual interest to the garden mix and the mingle.

cottage-garden-fence-yard

Rabbits do what rabbits do as in look so darn cute and nibble on garden growth goodies.

rabbit-eating-leaves

Chicken wire cloches look as good as they cover and protect.

Chicken Wire Cloche with Extension

Chicken Wire Cloche with Extension garden

Chicken Wire Cloche with Extension

Deterring rabbits from feasting upon the harvest hints from The Old Farmer’s Almanac include the following:

Rabbits do not like the pungent smell of onions therefore these may serve as a the scent of discouragement.

Try dusting around the garden and targeted plants with powdered red pepper.

Forsythia, zinnias, daffodils, lavender, and snapdragons seem to work as rabbits do not find these flowers appetizing. Planting these flowers strictly to deter is not a guaranteed solution to a bunny issue, but it is a colorful suggestion.

rabbit-squirrel-green-wallpaper

York Fable Wallcovering

Ever the decorista, garden trends grow gorgeous for spring.

spring-in-the-garden-accents

Antique French Garden Pot

Antique French Garden Pot

On trend for garden gorgeous this 2023 spring season, antique containers make a striking choice of planter complementing the beauty of spring flowers.

Estate and garage sales are garden supplies treasure troves for finding pots, planters, tools, and decorative garden statues in good and stylish curb appeal condition.

Vintage recipe boxes come in handy as a storage organizer for seed packets.

flowers-antique-urn

Garden Answer is one of my most favorite Facebook pages to follow. Here Laura plants a stunning container display pairing yellow ranunculus with yellow violas, and voilà- it’s spring.

garden-salad-spring-fork

white-bean-pea-dip

Spring Crudités Board with White Bean-and-Pea Dip

Welcome spring into summer blooms to grace garden, basket, jar, vase and ultimately tabletop.

stay-wild-door-mat

Pretty is as pretty plants.

fresh-spring-flowers-in-hand

Strawflower, Tom Thumb Mixed Colors

Garden friends and finds~

spring-butterfly-on-orange-flower

Decorative Butterfly Stepping Stone Bronze Cast Iron Paver 17" Long

Decorative Butterfly Stepping Stone Bronze Cast Iron Paver 17″ Long

fresh mint-1

garden-gate-arch

Country Living Magazine – Photography by Mark Lohman

friends-flowers-in-your-garden

Take a seat for in full bloom gardening and decorating inspiration.

Pavia-Armchair-with-Turned-Legs

Acoetes Black Armchair with Turned Legs

Little Books of Tips: The Little Book of Gardening Tips

Little Books of Tips: The Little Book of Gardening Tips

Readers-Digest-gardening-secrets

deco-moss-garden-grapevine-watering-can (1)

The Pioneer Woman Mazie Embossed Patina Hose Pot

We’ve now come to the how to build a wooden obelisk DIY project portion of this spring in the garden post. Find the tutorial here.

wooden-garden-obelisk

spring-in-the-garden

Tools

Heavy Duty Steel Folding Shovel
3-Piece Set Black Iron Gardening Tools
Adjustable Impact Tripod Sprinkler
Expert Gardener Indoor Garden Tool Set with Carrying Case
Steel Bypass Lopper

Spring in the Garden

Expert Gardener Indoor and Outdoor Potting Soil Mix, 8 qt. Bag
Preen Garden Weed Preventer
Large Capacity Black Growing Bag Raised Garden Flower Planter
30 Packs Assorted Heirloom Vegetable Seeds 30+ Varieties

Supplies

Pink Garden Tote Storage Bag with 8 Pockets
The Pioneer Woman Vintage Floral Goatskin Leather Gloves
ECO Rubber 5/8 in. x 50 ft. Garden Hose
Evergreen Metal Watering Can with Brushed Artisan Finish

Goodies

12″ Gray Willow Basket by Ashland®
Decorative Butterfly Stepping Stone Bronze Cast Iron Paver
Cool Summer Floppy Wide Brim Straw Hat with Ribbon
Cotton Linen Pinafore Square Cross Apron
Home Decor Resin Rabbit Outdoor Statue

Happy gardening!

Show & Tell

The Beauty of Home

Over the last few months life sure has thrown an over abundance of curveballs my way, the saving grace of which is the beauty of home.

white-magnolia-guest-cottage

White Magnolia Guest Cottage

Picking up the pieces after an end-of-life event has sadly come to its devastating conclusion is where I find myself of late.

a-beautiful-life-begins-at-home

Pinterest

In all the madness and sadness I’ve become reacquainted with the beauty of home and its unique way of providing comfort, solace and shelter in the storm.

the beauty of home

House-Shaped Storage Box
Welcome Home Round Coir Doormat Natural

Regardless of the shape or size, a beautiful life begins at home.

song-for-a-little-house

One of Dave the Builder’s favorite songs was “Little Houses” written by Skip Ewing and Mickey Cates and recorded by Doug Stone.

“But you know, love grows best in little houses
With fewer walls to separate
Where you eat and sleep so close together
You can’t help but communicate
Oh, and if we had more room between us, think of all we’d miss
Love grows best, in houses just like this”

Lyrics touch the heart when truth is at the core of the verse.

Edith-Wharton-home

Sweet Sequels

Wisdom visits the one trying to master the art of being fulfilled in a room full of people or perfectly content in a space perfected for a party of one.

at-the-cottage-doorAt the Cottage Door

Nature’s renewal from the dark of winter to the warm and bright color palette of spring reveals the necessary presence of faith over fear found through serenity.

everybody-needs-beauty

Pinterest

Change in seasons, station and situations is an ever constant.

Finding joy in the familiar and comforting beauty of home leads the journey, and memories stand as an old acquaintance on a mission to befriend a broken heart.

spring bucket list

It’s A Charming Life

Lovely is the concept of and suggestions from this spring bucket list.

Hope springs eternal.

Darleen-signature-love

 

Show & Tell

Blog Content Inspiration

Stuck somewhere between blog post subject difficulty and the is it winter or is it spring seesaw, I began to grow bored until the content of one email and the lyrics to a classic Beatles song get the wheels of blog content inspiration turning once again.

blog content inspiration

Photo by Brian Tromp on Unsplash

Regardless of how many times I listen to a song, the ability to take away something new and fresh confirms why music is such a mainstay in my day to day.

Listening once again to “The Long and Winding Road” by The Beatles brought about a renewed sense of appreciation for the beauty found in the following lyric:

The long and winding road
That leads to your door
Will never disappear
I’ve seen that road before
It always leads me here

honeycomb-bee-door-knocker

Honeycomb Bee Door Knocker

Lyrical interpretation is left to the heart and ear of each individual listener.

What I hear is a testament to the joy known in the comfort of where, what and who one finds love, and the door that opens up to it.

Finding a fitting door knocker and spring wreath for the door that welcomes spring style, family and friends home is on the way.

Bloom Room Spring 24in Amaranthus Wreath - Purple, Pink & Green

Bloom Room Spring 24in Amaranthus Wreath – Purple, Pink & Green

If one could amass frequent flyer miles for every Etsy and eBay visit I’ve clocked over the last few weeks, Paris would be on the summer travel itinerary.

When I get a certain something on my gotta have it radar the treasure hunt is on.

bronze-ballerina-statue

Sourcing and searching lead me to several “I didn’t know I needed that, but for the look and the price I’ll take it” pieces so success is on the table and the wall.

new-pediment-wall-art-roses-in-vase

Antique Floral Framed Canvas Board Olive Green – Threshold™

Inspiration is everywhere.

art-placement-gallery-wall

Popping out to the garage to take inventory of the big green grass cutting machine otherwise known as the riding lawn mower gifts me with two unwanted intrusions into an otherwise lovely day.

Seems a new lawn mower battery purchase is in my future, and there’s a pressing need to call the plumber.

plumbing-leak

Cast your eyes on this late winter meets an early Louisiana spring photo showing the newly discovered water leak from the below freezing temps of last week.

Such issues serve as the catalyst to the oh, the joy of home repair headache suddenly developed.

when-life-gives-you-lemons-wall-plaque

It’s a sign this recipe for Lemon Shortbread Cookies from Oh My Goodness Chocolate Desserts is designed blog content inspiration.

Click here for recipe.

Shortbread-Lemon-Cookies

Just about the time it seems the river of ideas has run dry blog content inspiration appears and joy is found yet again.

find-joy

Have a lovely day, dear friends.

Darleen-signature-love

 

Show & Tell

Mardi Gras Scenes from Home

Mardi Gras scenes from home capture the purple, gold and green goodness of this mid-winter fête Louisiana turns out for in grand laissez bon temps rouler fashion.

Mardi-Gras-decor-Louisiana

Celebratory jollification comes to call and we answer “throw me something, mister” with the accent mark placed over family and furry friends small town revelry to match our larger counterparts.

Mardi Gras Mambo - An Original Silkscreen by George Rodrigue

Mardi Gras Mambo – An Original Silkscreen by George Rodrigue

Parades O’plenty line streets and sidewalks, balls and beads fascinate and decorate, a neighborhood block party fais do-do invites new traditional to the party, and coiffed and costumed furry friends proudly parade in mutt strut second line regality.

Happy-Mardi-Gras-masked-dog

Homes adorned in colors of Carnival greet and treat revelers to a krewe of house floats exhibit.

Mardi-Gras-house-float-table-decoration

Crawfish boils give plenty of reasoning and seasoning for passing a good time.

decorative-crawfish-platter

crawfish boil supplies

boiled-Louisiana-crawfish

Mudbug in Blue by Dave the Builder garners Mardi Gras scenes from home attention.

crawfish on canvas print

the-tastes

Our version of a King Cake party looks something like a late afternoon tea party but with Community Coffee dark roast served black and strong.

King-Cake-2022 (1)

Considering how much we do love our King Cakes, I thought a spin on a classic a delicious deviation.

purple-green-gold-topped-fluff-pie

Fluff pies whip up super easy and delicious.

white-chocolate-Mardi- Gras-fluff-pie

Purple, gold and green sparkling sugars and a plastic King Cake plastic baby completes the decoration portion of this Mardi Gras dessert creation.

gold-purple-sugar

Giving thought to fluff flavor, the hands down choice was as obvious as the powdered sugar on your beignet.

whipped-topping-white-chocolate-instant-pudding

White chocolate it is!

mardi-gras-white-chocolate-fluff-pie

Mardi Gras White Chocolate Fluff Pie

Ingredients

1  9″ graham cracker crust

1  8 oz container whipped topping

1  3.5 oz box white chocolate instant pudding & pie filling

1-1½  cup cold milk

sparkling sugars in purple, gold and green

plastic King Cake baby

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, add white chocolate pudding mix and milk.  Whisk until pudding reaches thick consistency.  Gently fold in the whipped topping to incorporate.

Spread fluff mixture into the graham cracker crust; cover with plastic wrap.

Chill covered pie for at least 4 hours to set.

Before serving, decorate by dusting top of pie with purple, gold and green sparkling sugars.  Garnish with a plastic King Cake baby and enjoy!

king-cake-baby-plastic

cest-si-bon

 

Show & Tell

Decorating with Black and Yellow

Decorating with black and yellow inspiration is courtesy of the lone bee buzzing around outside the window in front of my desk. February in Louisiana is known for its temperature swings and early spring previews.

bee-in-flight

Interior designers, decoristas, bloggers, photographers and fashion mavens glean some of their best ideas by taking a page from the book of natural beauty.

yellow and black flowers in a row

Photo by Honey Yanibel Minaya Cruz on Unsplash

Inspiration is everywhere and nature proves a powerful muse.

yellow-brick-cottage (1)

Several weekend getaways ago Dave the Builder and I treated ourselves to a leisurely afternoon drive through the garden district of a particular North Louisiana town complete with curb appeal ideas in mind and camera in hand.

Yellow and Black "Stay Awhile" Rectangular Door Mat

Yellow and Black “Stay Awhile” Rectangular Door Mat

Color combination perfection caught my eye enticing me to stay awhile and take in the curb and charm appeal.

black-and-white-bench

 Courtney Hill Interiors

Appealing to whimsy yet classically sophisticated, decorating with the color combination black and yellow leans into warmth, depth, and dimension.

yellow-black-place-setting

Southern Living – Photography by Laurey W. Glenn 

Decorating with Black and Yellow

Subtle.

Vivid.

Deep.

Delicate.

Radiant.

DecoratingImpressive comes to mind when black meets any shade of yellow.

glossy-black-kitchen-cabinets-with-butcher-block-countertops

 Crystal Blackshaw

Back to the workings of how colors come together in both expected and unexpected harmony-

yellow-black-modern-kitchen-cabinets

Architectural Digest – Photography by Stephen Kent Johnson

Black is a color so beautifully secure in its position on the color wheel making it a design and decorating essential.

brass-rams-head-coffee-table

  Rue Magazine

In other words, the color black will never fade or falter.

Yellow-and-Black-wallpaper

Occasionally what we imagine in our decorating mind’s eye as a set the bar color combination falls short on the other side of fruition.

Yellow-and-Black-wallpaper-foyer-chest

Mistakes and missteps happen and simply become part of the trial and error process.

Yellow-Calla-Lilies-in-black-vase

Aim for a coordinated contrast when pairing colors, and never shy from experimenting with color combinations.

Mustard Black  Oriental Area Rug

Mustard/Black  Oriental Area Rug

Classic through time and trend, the color black is one of the premier foundation and/or accent colors in interior decorating.

black-awning-yellow-accents-patio

 Tracy Hardenburg Designs

Drama in decorating is more about the visual impact it adds to the quality of the space and less about the style.

Villeroy-Boch-Audun

Villeroy & Boch Audun Dinnerware

Chosen decor styles can be every bit the grande dame of decorating drama thanks to well paired and well executed color combinations.

blue-kitchen-island-with-black-countertop

 Lauren Haskett Fine Design

Realizing a total color combination immersion does not always provide the best palette complement to the whole, consider introducing color combination styling through accents and accessories.

black-white-floors-yellow-drape-doorway

Don’t you hate when you decide upon the color combination to suit space and style and the striking decor pieces perfect in the scheme of things can’t be found?

black-upholstered-dining-chair-yellow-throw-pillows

Plush Velvet Deco Cranes Pillow Cover

Purchase items in one of the combo colors, and other pieces in the other.

Marry pieces together in order accomplish the desired look.

French-Country-Style-Fabric-Leather-Upholstered-Kitchen-Wooden-Dining-Chair

Mieres French Country Style Fabric/Leather Upholstered Dining Chair (Set of 2)

Options are a decorista’s best friend.

Yellow-and-Black-decorative-throw-pillows

Medallion Zebra Scalamandr Left Facing Single Bench, YellowBlack

Medallion Zebra Scalamandré Left Facing Single Bench, Yellow/Black

black-yellow-citrine-walls-living-room

Veranda – Photography by Thomas Loof

black-yellow-fabric

Predominant color combinations from timeless to new traditional guide the eye on a journey of decorative intrigue.

Darleen-signature-love

Show & Tell

Valentine’s Day Sweets for the Sweet

February is fast approaching, and with that comes ideas for whipping up Valentine’s Day Sweets for the sweet.

vintage-baker-boy (1)

The Graphics Fairy

Of course each is dished and served with loe.

Watercolor Heart Shaped Stoneware Plate

Focused on sweets for the sweet, this Valentine’s Day Sweets show and tell features recipes synonymous with delectable, delicious and delightful.

Click on the link below each image for the recipe.

Mini Valentine’s Day Cakes

Mini Valentine’s Day Cakes

lemon-date-bars

Lemon-Date Bars – Photography by Anna Williams

Have you ever wondered how the symbol/letter  X came to stand for Kiss?

Traced back to the Middle Ages, X was used to sign off on documents followed by the writer often kissing the mark signifying their oath. The gesture flourished as the common sign used to certify records, books, letters and paperwork.

X-kiss-mark

X stood for Kiss, and the gesture gave life to the term “sealed with a kiss.”

chocolate-marshmallow-sandwich-cookiesChocolate Marshmallow Sandwich Cookies – Photography by Mike Garten

ripe-for-picking-no-bake-cheesecake

No Bake Cheesecake with Berry Toppings – Photography by Brian Woodcock

Antique Rose Handpainted Serving Plate - Germany

Antique Rose Hand Painted Serving Plate – Germany

Vanilla Cupcakes with Buttercream

Vanilla Cupcakes with Buttercream

Treat roses keep fresh when stored in an airtight container with a sealed lid, and fresh cut roses keep best when following these suggestions:

roses-Kroger

If a packet of flower food is included with your rose bouquet you will want to use it. Dissolve the food in a couple of tablespoons of warm water, stirring to completely dissolve.

Take roses out of wrap and remove leaves that will be below your desired water line. Cut each stem at an angle which allows optimal water intake. add it to the water to promote the buds opening and to slow any bacterial growth.

Place the roses in your container of choice and arrange to your liking. Placing the arrangement in a cool area away from heat vents and out of direct sunlight prolongs the life of the roses.

When the bloom and the beauty is off the rose(s), drying the roses to keep for sentimental reasons is an easy project.

Gather the amount of rose stems you want to dry, remove all the leaves from each stem, and bind stems together with a rubber band.  Hang upside down for 2 to 3 weeks in a cool, dark place free of humidity.

Valentine's Day Macarons

Valentine’s Day French Macarons

As you begin the beguine.

What’s a beguine, you may wonder?

beguine
(/bəˈgēn/ bə-GHEEN)

a dance and music form, similar to a slow rhumba

Lemon-Elderflower Waffles

Lemon-Elderflower Waffles

Begin the Valentine beguine dance of delicious delight with a breakfast or brunch built for two starring this recipe for Lemon-Elderflower Waffles.

Dress waffles with a delightful dusting of powdered sugar, stemmed strawberries split in half, and edible flowers.

Stone Lain Brighton Round Body Marble Porcelain Dinnerware Set

Stone Lain Brighton Round Body Marble Porcelain Dinnerware Set

brownie-hearts-recipe

Brownie Hearts

Heart Appetizer Plates

Heart Appetizer Plates

Valentine’s Day sweets for the sweet favorites include this perfect for the occasion mixtape cookies recipe from Constellation Inspiration.

Valentine’s Mixtape Cookies

Valentine’s Day Mixtape Cookies

Music fuels the power of love – a sweet symphony to serve the senses.

cupcake-toppers

Mini Red Velvet Cakes

Mini Red Velvet Cakes

Breakable Chocolate Heart

Breakable Chocolate Heart

Cupid delivers dessert inspiration for whipping up Valentine’s Day sweets for the sweet dedicated to the one you love.

Darleen-signature-love

 

Show & Tell

Winter Blues

Winter blues is prime for reinterpretation when warming up your home decor for winter.

winter-blues-sky-snow-covered-trees

Tomas Tuma

If winter was a dance imagine it a December to March waltz keeping 3/4 time in a slow and graceful step.

Wintertime weather coupled with shorter days often leads to extended periods of time spent indoors hibernating, if you will.

This exact time of the year and season naturally slows the pace of our day to day presenting an opportune time to recharge and refresh self and home.

Home-in-blue

Time spent in the company, cozy comfort, and beauty of our home is time well spent.

fireplace tile

Better Homes & Gardens

Feathering one’s nest in this time between the end of the holiday hustle and bustle and spring’s arrival in winter blues offsets the harshness of the actual winter blues.

Small touches in seasonal splendor will do the trick.

blue-Delft-tile-estate-find

My winter blues estate sale find that made getting up at the crack of dawn on a cold dreary February morning worth it.

Delft-tile-wagon

Perhaps it’s time to add to the collection with this trio of framed Mosa Holland Delft blue tiles.

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Trio of Mosa Holland Delft Blue Tiles Framed Bridal Couple Shoemaker Windmill

Delft-tile-working

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Southern Home Magazine – Photography by Julie Soefer

Fresh or faux florals and/or stems placed in a blue and white porcelain vase or ginger jar brings in seasonal elements and elevates the tone and tenor of the space.

Blue & White Peony Temple Jar With Lion HandlesBlue & White Peony Temple Jar With Lion Handles

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micheile dot com 

Mid-winter blooms of pink and white camellias floating in a blue and white porcelain bowl is a mid-winter tabletop centerpiece tradition in many Southern homes.

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Handmade 14″ Blue and White Ladies Porcelain Bowl

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“In the winter she curls up around a
good book and dreams away the cold.”

— Ben Aaronovitch

vintage-classic-bound-books

CharmingTreasurFinds

mark-sikes-blue-white-dining-room-Amy Neunsinger

Veranda – Mark D. Sikes – Photography by Amy Neunsinger

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Real Simple – Photography by Addie Juell

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winter-blues-home-decor

Blue Chinoiserie Toile PIllar Candle
SAFAVIEH Lighting Blue and White Color Swirls Glass Table Lamp (Set of 2)
Persian Pouf
Roses Still Life Painting Printable
Blue Hydrangea Wreath
Ceramic Chinoiserie Decorative Jar
Devon Cottage Dinner Plate
Lauren Ralph Lauren Handmade Olivier Floral Wool Rug
Sutton Tufted Robbins Egg Blue Arm Chair
Mainstays 300 Thread Count Easy Care Percale Pillowcase Set of 2

settee-blue-white-pillows

Chinois Complete Stencil Set

So many of us who enjoy interior (and exterior) decorating know it to be an absolute labor of love.

Decorating home and hearth in a manner which best reflects the current season focuses on warming up your decor with an item or two depicting nature inspired colors, patterns and textures visually aligned with this time of year and pieces that simply speak settle in to the senses.

bedroom-winter-blue-white-lamps

Gracious Farmhouse

Softer lighting options.

Scents of the season.

Layering with fabrics of cozy and comfort.

Warm spot accents in shades of calming winter blues.

Chatelet Blue Chest

Chatelet Blue Chest

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Katerina Floor Clock
Jesse Printed Jute Rug
Isla Block Print Pleated Chandelier Shade
Leighton Pleated Chandelier Shade
Limited Edition Riverbed Drum Lamp Shade
Foo Dogs – Set of 2
Piedmont 4-Light Lantern

linens-blue-white

Sometimes it does seem we are settling in for a long winter’s nap.

Warm to winter blues with spot additions such as a new set of pillowcases, throw or duvet.

Jacquard Chenille Throw

As the thaw of winter initiates the need for lighter weight linens sherpa gives way to chenille for evening air perfectly balanced between crisp and cool.

Printed-Design-Cotton-Collection-400-Thread-Count-Light-Blue-Toile-Duvet-Set

Printed Design Cotton Collection 400 Thread Count Light Blue Toile Duvet Set

January treats include these late winter into spring blue and white pillowcases and a pretty in pink chenille tufted throw from Walmart.

blue-white-cotton-percale-pillowcases

300 Thread Count Easy Care Percale Pillowcase Set of 2,  Blue Floral

All in for a little under $25.00, and let me just say they are quite lovely and a perfect preview of spring things to come.

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Madison Park Off-White Chenille Tufted Throw

Curb appeal discovered with this distressed blue embossed tin mailbox sure to put a hint of spring in your step out to porch or street on a winter day to get the mail routine.

Distressed Blue Embossed Mail Box

Creative Co-Op Distressed Blue Embossed Mailbox

Addition and subtraction; the decorating formula for seasonal decorating.

Warm additions welcome comfort at fall into winter.

Rich.

Cozy.

Xenial.

winter-blues-paint-colors

Before you know it spring days turn to oh, those summer nights where pastels, prints, and pretty naturally lighten the aesthetic and the ambiance.

Spaces and places in the home welcome style home year round when character and charm enter the equation.

Darleen-signature-love

Show & Tell