29 November 2009
We wouldn't want Santa to miss us...
Today was a beautiful day here in the Pacific Northwest, so my sweet husband braved the heights to finish our Christmas lights... This is truly my favorite season in the year, and it brings back fond childhood memories!!! Some of my favorite Christmas memories growing up in my beloved Lisbon include street vendors selling roasted chestnuts and streets lined with incredible lights... I was always mesmerized by them and thought they were the coolest thing ever!!!! Impulsively I searched the internet to find some pictures to share... Though not as bright and festive as they were in my childhood, they still, to this day, fill me with enchantment and happiness!!
27 November 2009
200th post Giving Thanks Giveaway!!!
Wow!!! It is hard to believe I am on my 200th post!!! What a wonderful journey it has been... I have loved every bit of it!! I am so thankful for all the friendships I have gained in blogland, for all the wonderful and encouraging words, for all the inspiration, validation, encouragement... I could go on and on!!! In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I have decided to give you all a chance to win one of my clock face pillows. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post!!!!! This giveaway is open to anyone anywhere in the world... If you do not have a blog, make sure to include an email address, so I can contact you!! I will pick a winner next Friday, December 4th. Good luck to all, and thank you from the bottom of my heart!!! You are truly the lifeline to this busy mom's sanity!!!
(This giveaway is now closed! Thank you to all who participated!)
21 November 2009
My birthday girl, Rita!
19 November 2009
Latest finds
I was thrilled to find this pink set for my kitchen...
... Love this old hand painted musical box...
... I know, I must be a magnet for vintage barkcloth bags, love this one!!!!
I found this mirror at Monticello, and absolutely love the unusual shape and crackling paint...
This set of vintage lace curtains was found at a rummage sale I went to a couple of weeks ago, along with the beveled mirror and drop-leaf table below (and a few other items awaiting a makeover...).
On a final note, I wanted to thank Sheila from Tattered Goods for the sweet award she gave me!!! I am truly honored and appreciative, it means a lot to me to be recognized in this way!! Thank you, Sheila, you are so sweet!!!
16 November 2009
Fun with decoupage
Another project I wanted to try was a mirror makeover I saw on Dawn's blog, The Feathered Nest... The trick is to get an old mirror, spray Easy Off oven cleaner in a random fashion (I chose to do it around the edges) on the side that has the mirror finish, wait about 15 to 20 minutes and wipe off the parts that have been "eaten" by the powerful spray. Then you can have fun decoupaging the back with paper or fabric, so random parts of the mirror will reveal your surprises!!! I really like how it turned out!!!
13 November 2009
Comfort Food (a repost)
When I miss home away from home (Portugal), I go straight to my portuguese cooking books. I don't know how to explain it, but just thinking about portuguese food is truly comforting to me!! As I have mentioned before, one of my favorite things to do is portuguese soups (sopas), and, thankfully, my kids love it too...!! I shared a recipe for a garbanzo soup with spinach here, and this time I would like to share one of our family favorites, and a super easy one, too!!
4 to 5 medium potatos, cubed
Throw the cubed potatos, carrots and onion in a pot, cover with water (water level whould be a couple of inches above vegetables) and cook for about half an hour. I often add a Knorr vegetable bouillon but that is optional.
Once the vegetables are cooked, I use my favorite kitchen appliance, the hand blender, to puree the soup right in the pot! Check the consistency of the soup, I usually add a little water at this point to bring it to the right creamy consistency. Add the green beans and bring it back to a boil for 5 to 10 minutes (the frozen green beans are already cooked, so they really don't need much cooking time). The last touch in all my soups is a generous few tablespoons of olive oil, added just a minute before turning the heat off. Add salt and pepper to taste and enjoy!!!
11 November 2009
A proud Thank You...
09 November 2009
Charlotte's Brocante
... These linen dish towels were a great price...
... and so were these old religious charms!!! They make a sweet collection!