Easter Table

Our Easter table finally was complete. My 3 grandson's had been "helping" me with the table, so it took a little longer than usual to complete! Mariano's, a local grocery store had gorgeous spray roses, so we purchased them along with purple stock and wax flowers for our table. Colored eggs, cement lambs and vintage chicks looked whimsical on the table. We arranged the flowers in a container that was the shape of half an egg and filled the other half with reindeer moss and eggs. Vivid floral vintage china dinner and salad plates and crystal were used for the spring table. The lantern was filled with moss, eggs and bunnies. Natural fiber linen was used on the table for the cloth and we added the white linen napkins from Pom Pom linens. It was a gorgeous 62 degree day in Chicago - perfect for our Easter Egg hunt after brunch! We will be joining Susan at www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com for Tablescape Thursday.

Easter Table Elements

Lena Benders Gum Paste flowers from her Etsy shop

Found on line from a baking supply company

Last night my grandson, Logan and I began to set our Easter table. We have a lot more to do, but I wanted to share with you some of the fun elements that we are using on our table this year. I have been on a search for pretty gum paste flowers this spring to use on cakes and table decor and have found some beautiful ones on Etsy. Yesterday a box arrived from a fabulous artist in Florida(Lena Bender's Gum Paste Creations) - and I was delighted when I opened them. Her flowers were very detailed and the colors were beautiful. Notice the ruffled petals on the peonies and the color of the morning glories. It is going to be a fun project to figure out how to use them for Easter. Vintage china and crystal from my mother in law are mixed with the wonderful ruffled napkin from Pom Pom linens ( sold at our store). The gorgeous chocolate eggs and solid chocolate rabbit are from Vosges Chocolates, located here in Chicago but available by mail order. We are going to use the large lantern as a vitrine for an Easter scene. The large cement sheep are from our store. The vintage majolica pitcher is filled with apple blossoms which are in full bloom right now- a real treat in Chicago to be here so early and in time for Easter. We will finish our table with more fresh flowers, nests and eggs. Stay tuned for our completed project. Today we will be joining www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com for Tablescape Thursday where there will be lots of inspiration for spring tables.

Parisienne Farmgirl Magazine has Awesome Recipes

Have you seen a copy of the new Parisienne Farmgirl Magazine? The photography is amazing and the articles are full of new and interesting information from people who really are experts at the subject. But it's the food pictures that got me really excited! My best friend Lynda, who lives in Atlanta, is an awesome cook ( maybe even a chef in her own right!). On Sunday morning, when the magazine arrived at her "in box", she opened it, read it and decided to immediately make the gougeres. Now let me tell you - she had to get dressed, go to the store to get milk on a "meant to be lazy" Sunday morning. But she was inspired! Look at these puffy little bites of love and joy that she made - I am so sad that I wasn't there to have one. She's making them again this weekend and filling them with Chicken Salad for a small party that she's catering. Check out this divine recipe in the first issue of www.parisiennefarmgirlmagazine.com.

Parisienne Farmgirl Magazine is Finally Here!

All of the Romancing the Home girls were honored to attend the launch party of Parisienne Farmgirl Magazine at Angela's home on Saturday night! We were so inspired by her home's warmth and decor. A beautiful table was set with delectable delights to enjoy! A delicious pate from Trader Joe's was served with dried figs, sea salt and cracked pepper in cute little tart shells. A gorgeous vegetable display was artfully arranged in a wine crate- almost too pretty to eat. The surprise delightful bite was the salami and cream cheese wrapped spring onions- so simple and so good. But the piece de resistance was the Wine Infused Blackberry buttermilk cake - OMG- to die for! The topping was a symphony of blackberries, Sauternes, sugar, grapefruit zest and blackberry preserves. An arrangement of soft pastel flowers was artfully arranged in the center of the table and one thought they were in Provence having afternoon tea. And of course, we had to take Angela a gift to show off those desserts she so expertly prepares- a French bakery dome. Wrapping the package in pink paper from Hobby Lobby, black velvet ribbon and topping it with an Eiffel Tower embellished with dried roses, was a labor of love. We wanted to share this exciting night with this lovely girl and her amazing family.

PS If you haven't ordered your subscription to Parisienne Farmgirl Magazine yet, do it now (parisiennefarmgirlmagazine.com.) It is fantastic- the photography is amazing, the articles are interesting and unique, and the recipes are wonderful. My friend Lynda was so inspired that she got up yesterday morning and immediately went to the store to get the ingredients for the gougeres recipe in the magazine. Tomorrow I'll share a picture of those little puffs of delightful goodness!

3 Perfect Days in Austin- a little bit Texas and a little bit Tuscany

Texas Bluebonnets

The Driskill Hotel - Texas or Tuscany?

Tuscany?
Texas Damask

Tuscany in Texas!

Texas- menu at the Mighty Cone food truck

Very Austin!

Austin

Tuscany or Texas?

Texas Map of the US-pretty funny and true according to true Texans!

Austin Graffitti wall

Tuscany or Texas?

Tuscany or Texas?

Tuscany or Texas?

Tuscany or Texas?

Tuscany or Texas?

Tuscany or Texas?

Barbecue Pit at the Salt Lick -Definitely Texas

Austin Cuisine

Dinner at Olivia's- seared scallops with sweet potato, pea and pear risotto!

My daughter and I just spent 3 days in Austin. My friend Mariterese had told me that there were moments that you felt like you were in Tuscany, and while her husband chuckled, I just might have to agree with her. Austin is its own place- a little bit country, a little bit Texas, and a little bit of romantic countryside! We started the trip by checking into the Driskill Hotel, a historical landmark. It's elegant Texas hospitality in a glorious setting with European architecture and big Texas style. Loved the damask wallpaper in the baths with the cowboy and oil rig-kind of looks like a Texas version of the Eiffel tower! Next we spent the afternoon in the South Congress shopping district and had a blast in the independently owned shops! From vintage clothing to fancy boots and antiques, it was a delightful experience. Lunch at a food truck, the Mighty Cone was great. Then we were off to Neimans Last Call and found a store packed full of designer clothing from the Neiman Marcus stores- absolutely a must stop if you are in Austin. Next stop, The Oasis, about 20 minutes away. Enjoying a margarita and chips, we gazed upon views of Lake Travis and the rolling countryside. Back to the Driskill to freshen up, then the valet recommended the Parkside restaurant for dinner. Strolling down 6th Street, we listened to the music in the bars and arrived at the Parkside for a delightful dinner. The decor is very bistro inspired and the place was lively. The next day we met Mariterese for breakfast and then explored the historic Bremond district of historic homes built in the 1800's. Next we headed to Wimberly, a quaint little town about 25 minutes away, for shopping. A cute little town, we antiqued and shopping in unique shops, and then headed back to Driftwood for lunch at the Salt lick, a world famous barbecue place. While the inside was definitely Texas, the outside fences covered in roses and the distant vineyards reminded us of Tuscany. After lunch, we toured the Lady Bird Wildflower gardens in Austin. Texas limestone walls added the structure to the gardens. The Bluebonnets were in season and a rainy warm season had created beautiful gardens. Then it was back to the Driskill, to meet Eric, a friend of Maritereses, who had lots of insight into the Austin scene and neighborhoods. Dinner at the Roaring Fork, across the street from the Driskill, was delicious. Then it was off to a bar to celebrate Lady GaGas 26th birthday. As we walked to the bar, the air was filled with all types of music coming from restaurants and bars. Austin is a music town! The next day, we drove to the Domain, a newer shopping district in North Austin. After checking out Neiman Marcus, we explored the center and found a fabulous shop, Atelier 1105- another European touch in Austin's culture. Lunch at a fabulous Italian bistro, and then we went to meet Eric and get a tour of the Austin neighborhoods. We ended the day with dinner at Olivia's- absolutely recommend it if you are a foodie. Their presentation was extraordinary. Back to the Driskill to get a good nights sleep to catch our early flight. Laying on our beds was a beautiful yellow rose of Texas. Yes, there is a little bit of Tuscany mixed with a lot of big Texas cowboy in Austin- a fun place to be!