A New Look

I decided it was time for a new look for the blog, so I spent some time upgrading today.  It's a little easier on the eye.  Not as cluttered.  More streamlined.  I think I'll refer to it as "sleek and chic."  So now it's time to get on with new projects.  Stay tuned.  More great ideas coming up!

A New Look

I decided it was time for a new look for the blog, so I spent some time upgrading today.  It's a little easier on the eye.  Not as cluttered.  More streamlined.  I think I'll refer to it as "sleek and chic."  So now it's time to get on with new projects.  Stay tuned.  More great ideas coming up!

mamma MiO

Have any of you tried the new liquid water enhancer called "MiO?"  I had not until today and I must tell you it is very delicious.  I will confess that I am not a fan of drinking water.  Especially still water.  When I drink water it is usually sparkling water.  I like the bubbles.  I know that water is good for the body, but Diet Pepsi tastes so much better.  I had some bottles of Deer Park sparkling water that were not being consumed, so I decided to give MiO a try.  The bottle in this picture is of Deer Park Sparkling with Lime Essence.  Even with the Lime Essense, it still tasted flat to me.

I added a shot of the MiO Orange Tangerine flavor and WOW!!  What a difference.  I would like to try some more of the MiO flavors.  So if you are finding it difficult to get your daily intake of water because, like me, you don't like drinking still water of any type of water, try giving it a little boost with a shot of MiO!

mamma MiO

Have any of you tried the new liquid water enhancer called "MiO?"  I had not until today and I must tell you it is very delicious.  I will confess that I am not a fan of drinking water.  Especially still water.  When I drink water it is usually sparkling water.  I like the bubbles.  I know that water is good for the body, but Diet Pepsi tastes so much better.  I had some bottles of Deer Park sparkling water that were not being consumed, so I decided to give MiO a try.  The bottle in this picture is of Deer Park Sparkling with Lime Essence.  Even with the Lime Essense, it still tasted flat to me.

I added a shot of the MiO Orange Tangerine flavor and WOW!!  What a difference.  I would like to try some more of the MiO flavors.  So if you are finding it difficult to get your daily intake of water because, like me, you don't like drinking still water of any type of water, try giving it a little boost with a shot of MiO!

A Road Trip

I'm off to Orange, VA for a day of rest and relaxation.  I will be visiting my favorite aunt and having lunch with my mother and grandmother.  Orange is my hometown.

I was born at the Martha Jefferson Hospital, November, 1959, in Charlottesville, VA, but raised in and around Orange.  Those halcyon days of youth.





Orange is also home to James Madison, the 4th President of the United States who was raised there on the Montpelier Plantation.  Although born at Belle Grove, his mother's family estate in Port Conway, mother and son soon returned to Montpelier which was then called Mount Pleasant.  Many years later after he first retired from politics, Madison added single-story, flat roofed extensions to either side of the house as seen below.



This is how I remember the house during my years growing up when it was owned by Marion duPont-Scott.  Mrs. duPont-Scott died in 1983 and bequeathed the property to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, along with a 10 million dollar endowment.

The property has gone through a major renovation in recent years as seen in this 2011 photograph.

There is now a visitor center for patrons to enjoy.  And many other activities during the year to include the Montpelier Hunt Races, the Montpelier Wine Festival and the Fiber Festival.  For more information on these events, you can log onto http://www.montpelier.org/.

A Road Trip

I'm off to Orange, VA for a day of rest and relaxation.  I will be visiting my favorite aunt and having lunch with my mother and grandmother.  Orange is my hometown.

I was born at the Martha Jefferson Hospital, November, 1959, in Charlottesville, VA, but raised in and around Orange.  Those halcyon days of youth.





Orange is also home to James Madison, the 4th President of the United States who was raised there on the Montpelier Plantation.  Although born at Belle Grove, his mother's family estate in Port Conway, mother and son soon returned to Montpelier which was then called Mount Pleasant.  Many years later after he first retired from politics, Madison added single-story, flat roofed extensions to either side of the house as seen below.



This is how I remember the house during my years growing up when it was owned by Marion duPont-Scott.  Mrs. duPont-Scott died in 1983 and bequeathed the property to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, along with a 10 million dollar endowment.

The property has gone through a major renovation in recent years as seen in this 2011 photograph.

There is now a visitor center for patrons to enjoy.  And many other activities during the year to include the Montpelier Hunt Races, the Montpelier Wine Festival and the Fiber Festival.  For more information on these events, you can log onto http://www.montpelier.org/.

Easter Candy

As the saying goes, 'Mater artium necessitas' or "Necessity is the mother of invention."  This week I picked up this festive foil wrapped Easter candy.  I was looking for a vessel to put it in, but I couldn't find anything on the shelves in the storage room that suited me. So I decided to raid the crystal cabinet and I found the perfect thing.  A champagne coupe.

Champagne Coupe as Candy Dish

Finding alternate uses for things you already have is very satisfying.  No need to run out and buy a "candy dish" when you most likely have something in the house that will work just as well.  This is truly simple elegance.

Easter Candy

As the saying goes, 'Mater artium necessitas' or "Necessity is the mother of invention."  This week I picked up this festive foil wrapped Easter candy.  I was looking for a vessel to put it in, but I couldn't find anything on the shelves in the storage room that suited me. So I decided to raid the crystal cabinet and I found the perfect thing.  A champagne coupe.

Champagne Coupe as Candy Dish

Finding alternate uses for things you already have is very satisfying.  No need to run out and buy a "candy dish" when you most likely have something in the house that will work just as well.  This is truly simple elegance.

Avocado Corn Salsa

Here's a quick recipe that can be made in hardly any time and is delicious with most anything.

Its is wonderful over warm egg noodles.  If you are watching the cholesterol, then use "No Yolks" like I did. I highly recommend that you try this.  I have provided the recipe here but you can also print it from the Food and Recipes page.  I hope you will enjoy this healthy dish as much as I do.

Avocado Corn Salsa

Here's a quick recipe that can be made in hardly any time and is delicious with most anything.

Its is wonderful over warm egg noodles.  If you are watching the cholesterol, then use "No Yolks" like I did. I highly recommend that you try this.  I have provided the recipe here but you can also print it from the Food and Recipes page.  I hope you will enjoy this healthy dish as much as I do.

A Pretty Gift Basket

I have a friend who is having a birthday tomorrow.  We will not mention ages as I do not think she would particularly appreciate that.  Let's just say she is in the "prime of life."  Yeah, . . . that works!

She is an attorney and, well, . . .  what do you get someone who has everything.  You put together a basket of things that you know are their favorite things.  So that is what I did.

It doesn't take a lot of money to let someone you care about feel loved and to let them know you are thinking of them.

Knowing Melinda as I do, I'm sure the thing she will like most about this basket is the Twizzler packages.  Well, the Ghirardelli won't be dismissed, but the Twizzler will get me brownie points.  And if I ever need help with a contract or some other such legal work, I'll be sure to remind her that she received Twizzler for her birthday this year.  That ought to get me some discount on the legal fees!?!?!!

A Pretty Gift Basket

I have a friend who is having a birthday tomorrow.  We will not mention ages as I do not think she would particularly appreciate that.  Let's just say she is in the "prime of life."  Yeah, . . . that works!

She is an attorney and, well, . . .  what do you get someone who has everything.  You put together a basket of things that you know are their favorite things.  So that is what I did.

It doesn't take a lot of money to let someone you care about feel loved and to let them know you are thinking of them.

Knowing Melinda as I do, I'm sure the thing she will like most about this basket is the Twizzler packages.  Well, the Ghirardelli won't be dismissed, but the Twizzler will get me brownie points.  And if I ever need help with a contract or some other such legal work, I'll be sure to remind her that she received Twizzler for her birthday this year.  That ought to get me some discount on the legal fees!?!?!!

Before Stone, . . . After Stones

The warm weather this week has brought with it a bit of spring fever.  Time to get out into the garden and start preparing for the season.  I will be hosting a birthday party at the end of May, and there is lots to do to prepare for this event.  I removed the arborvitae in the two planters on the front porch and replaced them with Japanese Sky Pencil Holly.

Japanese Sky Pencil Holly

These are so simple and beautiful.  They will add nice height to the front entrance and give a nice, clean look.  Normally I leave enough room on the top of the soil in any planter to lay down some mulch.  But I wanted to do something different with these planters.

Before Stones

So I decided to add some small stones on top of the soil.

After Stones

A really nice look.  Mulch would look nice in these planters also, but if you are looking for a little different look than the usual mulch layer, give this a try.

Before Stone, . . . After Stones

The warm weather this week has brought with it a bit of spring fever.  Time to get out into the garden and start preparing for the season.  I will be hosting a birthday party at the end of May, and there is lots to do to prepare for this event.  I removed the arborvitae in the two planters on the front porch and replaced them with Japanese Sky Pencil Holly.

Japanese Sky Pencil Holly

These are so simple and beautiful.  They will add nice height to the front entrance and give a nice, clean look.  Normally I leave enough room on the top of the soil in any planter to lay down some mulch.  But I wanted to do something different with these planters.

Before Stones

So I decided to add some small stones on top of the soil.

After Stones

A really nice look.  Mulch would look nice in these planters also, but if you are looking for a little different look than the usual mulch layer, give this a try.

Trees at the Four Seasons

Aren't these trees wonderful!  I love this idea.

These are located at the Four Seasons hotel in Georgetown in Washington, DC.  I just thought I'd post this picture for everyone to enjoy.  Will I consider trying this little bit of magic at Crest Avenue?  Possibly.

Trees at the Four Seasons

Aren't these trees wonderful!  I love this idea.

These are located at the Four Seasons hotel in Georgetown in Washington, DC.  I just thought I'd post this picture for everyone to enjoy.  Will I consider trying this little bit of magic at Crest Avenue?  Possibly.

Well.. Well.. Well

Do you have a window well that you don't know what to do with.  Here's an idea.  Most of the window wells around Crest Avenue exist in  obscurity.  If you didn't know where they were, you wouldn't know where they were.  Most are hidden by shrubbery.  But the one you see below is actually at the foot of the stairs leading from the deck onto the patio.  Actually, the patio is built around this window well.  I've tried different approaches to make this area attractive over the years only to be disappointed with each new idea. This year I decided to try something new.

As you see below, I have one large pot that is already in bloom with hyacinth and heuchera.  I filled the window well area with a bag of pea gravel and placed the large pot a little off-center.  Then I filled in with smaller pots.

A little while later, we have a beautiful grouping of plants which look wonderful and help to liven up an area that has been an eyesore.  The smaller pots contain English Dwarf Boxwood (left), Old Gold Juniper (right of large pot with gold tips), and Little Giant Arborvitae.

These can be kept trimmed and in these pots for years.  Or, you can start them here and then plant them elsewhere in your landscape and fill the pots with other plants of your liking year to year.  Experiment until you get it just as you want it.

Well.. Well.. Well

Do you have a window well that you don't know what to do with.  Here's an idea.  Most of the window wells around Crest Avenue exist in  obscurity.  If you didn't know where they were, you wouldn't know where they were.  Most are hidden by shrubbery.  But the one you see below is actually at the foot of the stairs leading from the deck onto the patio.  Actually, the patio is built around this window well.  I've tried different approaches to make this area attractive over the years only to be disappointed with each new idea. This year I decided to try something new.

As you see below, I have one large pot that is already in bloom with hyacinth and heuchera.  I filled the window well area with a bag of pea gravel and placed the large pot a little off-center.  Then I filled in with smaller pots.

A little while later, we have a beautiful grouping of plants which look wonderful and help to liven up an area that has been an eyesore.  The smaller pots contain English Dwarf Boxwood (left), Old Gold Juniper (right of large pot with gold tips), and Little Giant Arborvitae.

These can be kept trimmed and in these pots for years.  Or, you can start them here and then plant them elsewhere in your landscape and fill the pots with other plants of your liking year to year.  Experiment until you get it just as you want it.

Frittata Primavera

All I can say is "Frittata Primavera."  That's it.  I'll let the picture speak for the rest.

Frittata Primavera

This is the most extraordinary frittata I have ever had.  If you are looking for something that will please you or the family or the bridge group or any group for that matter, then this is the dish.  It is so incredibly easy to make and is truly a taste sensation.  I would serve this at most any function.  It can be served warm or at room temperature, which is always delightful.

Please check out the Food and Recipes page for the recipe.

Frittata Primavera

All I can say is "Frittata Primavera."  That's it.  I'll let the picture speak for the rest.

Frittata Primavera

This is the most extraordinary frittata I have ever had.  If you are looking for something that will please you or the family or the bridge group or any group for that matter, then this is the dish.  It is so incredibly easy to make and is truly a taste sensation.  I would serve this at most any function.  It can be served warm or at room temperature, which is always delightful.

Please check out the Food and Recipes page for the recipe.

Let's Get Ready for Easter!

It's almost here!  "Here comes Peter Cottontail, hoppin' down the bunny trail."  Many of you will remember that familiar refrain from your childhood.  And it's almost time for Peter Cottontail to make his visit.  In preparation, we have started to prepare some of our baskets for the holiday.  This year we are using little moss covered baskets.

The baskets are easily attainable online at http://www.save-on-crafts.com/baskets.html.  All it takes is a little imagination and you can turn a simple basket into a treasure.

Once you get the basket, you can pick up a few goodies from most any place and put together a gift anyone would be elated to receive.

This little basket is so cute.  It's in the shape of a pocketbook

Just a simple chocolate bunny and a philaenopsis orchid and you have a most delightful gift to give.

You see here that I added just a little more candy in the front.

And a final view.  Really a beautiful basket.  And the whole thing can be put together without a lot of time.

We will be posting more Easter ideas in the weeks to follow.

Let's Get Ready for Easter!

It's almost here!  "Here comes Peter Cottontail, hoppin' down the bunny trail."  Many of you will remember that familiar refrain from your childhood.  And it's almost time for Peter Cottontail to make his visit.  In preparation, we have started to prepare some of our baskets for the holiday.  This year we are using little moss covered baskets.

The baskets are easily attainable online at http://www.save-on-crafts.com/baskets.html.  All it takes is a little imagination and you can turn a simple basket into a treasure.

Once you get the basket, you can pick up a few goodies from most any place and put together a gift anyone would be elated to receive.

This little basket is so cute.  It's in the shape of a pocketbook

Just a simple chocolate bunny and a philaenopsis orchid and you have a most delightful gift to give.

You see here that I added just a little more candy in the front.

And a final view.  Really a beautiful basket.  And the whole thing can be put together without a lot of time.

We will be posting more Easter ideas in the weeks to follow.

Souffle, . . . done a different way

I made a crab and cheese souffle yesterday.  It was very good, just different.  "Richer" is how I would describe it.  It was heavier in weight and had less volume than my regular souffle.    Maybe I am a cheese souffle snob, but I like them plain with gruyere and egg whites and a few other ingredients.  This one was a little too heavy for me.  I'm not saying that I would never make it again.  I would just be more inclined to use the recipe I normally use (which is listed here under the Food and Recipes page).

Crab and Cheese Souffle

I have provided the recipe for this souffle under the Food and Recipe page also.  I suggest you try it and then decide for yourself which is more to your liking.

Souffle, . . . done a different way

I made a crab and cheese souffle yesterday.  It was very good, just different.  "Richer" is how I would describe it.  It was heavier in weight and had less volume than my regular souffle.    Maybe I am a cheese souffle snob, but I like them plain with gruyere and egg whites and a few other ingredients.  This one was a little too heavy for me.  I'm not saying that I would never make it again.  I would just be more inclined to use the recipe I normally use (which is listed here under the Food and Recipes page).

Crab and Cheese Souffle

I have provided the recipe for this souffle under the Food and Recipe page also.  I suggest you try it and then decide for yourself which is more to your liking.

Holloway House to the Rescue

During a very heavy rainy period last year, what had been a small leak in the roof of Crest Avenue turned into a much bigger leak.  What ended up happening was a small portion of the ceiling in my office collapsed.  That would have been bad enough on its own.  But it collapsed on top of my desk destroying a lamp and a number of other office furnishings.  Wallboard, insulation from the attic and an enormous amount of water covered the room.  Not a pretty sight.  Luckily I was here when it happened and was able to get the water up rather quickly.  The ensuing clean up took days.

The water, unfortunately, damaged the floor.  The varnish, in places, bubbled up.  I went over it was a steel wool pad and then vacuumed the floors well.  But this is what I was left with.

I decided to apply a new floor finish today to see if I could bring back some of the luster.  I used Holloway House Quick Shine.  I'm sure many of you have seen this advertised on television.  It is very easy to apply.  I used a large sponge, like you would use to wash your car.  I wet it with warm water, wrung out as much of the water as possible, and then applied the Holloway House solution to the floor.  I sprayed the solution directly on the floor and then applied it with the sponge.  You could apply it to the wet sponge and apply it that way too.  Two applications later, this is what the floor looks like.

Not bad for a 60+ year old floor that was in need of refinishing even before the ceiling collapse.  So, just a quick post to let you know that of all the products advertised on television, this one really does work as advertised.

Holloway House to the Rescue

During a very heavy rainy period last year, what had been a small leak in the roof of Crest Avenue turned into a much bigger leak.  What ended up happening was a small portion of the ceiling in my office collapsed.  That would have been bad enough on its own.  But it collapsed on top of my desk destroying a lamp and a number of other office furnishings.  Wallboard, insulation from the attic and an enormous amount of water covered the room.  Not a pretty sight.  Luckily I was here when it happened and was able to get the water up rather quickly.  The ensuing clean up took days.

The water, unfortunately, damaged the floor.  The varnish, in places, bubbled up.  I went over it was a steel wool pad and then vacuumed the floors well.  But this is what I was left with.

I decided to apply a new floor finish today to see if I could bring back some of the luster.  I used Holloway House Quick Shine.  I'm sure many of you have seen this advertised on television.  It is very easy to apply.  I used a large sponge, like you would use to wash your car.  I wet it with warm water, wrung out as much of the water as possible, and then applied the Holloway House solution to the floor.  I sprayed the solution directly on the floor and then applied it with the sponge.  You could apply it to the wet sponge and apply it that way too.  Two applications later, this is what the floor looks like.

Not bad for a 60+ year old floor that was in need of refinishing even before the ceiling collapse.  So, just a quick post to let you know that of all the products advertised on television, this one really does work as advertised.