Magical Dinner in Chicago Courtyard

A group of us were invited to Mariterese's brownstone in the city for dinner last night!  It was the perfect night- low 70's, no humidity and no bugs!  So dinner was outside in her breathtaking courtyard. We felt as though we were transported to New Orleans for the evening.

Looking down from the deck above you can see the lush courtyard below.

Looking up in the courtyard to the wisteria covered deck off the kitchen.

 

The newly installed fountain with roses floating in the basin.

 

 

The spectacular trumpet vine that was come back for the 2nd year and grown up and over the pergola- just glorious!

 

Huge hibiscus flowers

 

The crystal candelabra in the bird bath- so wonderful with the drippy candles.

 

And then you see the "creation "- the breathtaking dinner table. An artfully combined tablescape of roses and ribbons carefully woven into an artistic canvas.  Truly a feast for the eyes.

 

Treats of the olive oil and vinegar that were used for the dinner salad dressing were favors for each guest.

 

 

The ivy from the hanging baskets created a curtain around the  dining table.

 

Each place setting was on a wooden board with a black and white napkin tied with a rose and eucalyptus.

 

Dinner was divine- tomato basil soup served in vintage punch cups

A beautiful summer salad with tomatoes, peaches, roasted chicken and lots of yummy goodness

 

 

 

 

A simply divine summer pies for dessert with sorbet!

 

 

 

What a delightful evening- wonderful friends, food and the perfect setting. Thanks MT for another memorable time at your lovely home. 

Fall Pop- Up Sale- the Preparations Begin!

It's time to start getting ready for our next Romancing the Home pop-up sale!  Merchandise is starting to arrive for our  September 13th and 14 event.  So mark your calendars!  Our theme will be a Midwest  fall- Tartans, Toddies and Rhinestones with just a peak of Christmas in the show! Lot's of pumpkins, lots of antiques and lots of treasures will be available.  Today, I spent the day creating treasures  and unpacking many treats that can be yours at our next event!

Such a sweet little guy - vintage probably from the 60's!

 



Vintage bronze putti that have been embellished with vintage rhinestones- so pretty on a mantle with votives and foliage for the holidays. 

 

Ex Votos - embellished with vintage jewels. So beautiful to lay on an antique book or in a bowl on the coffee table.

 

 

 

Absolutely one of my most favorite finds of the year- a gilded birdcage reproduction with a clock on the bottom!   So perfect to hang or simply lay on it's side on a buffet and fill the cage with bittersweet and grapevine- divine!   These are spectacular- so leave email me  if you want one so we have enough!

A selection of vintage tiaras for your pleasure!  Simply lay it around and enjoy!  Would be perfect worked into a centerpiece of white pumpkins with a rhinestone skeptor!  ( oh- we have those too!)

 A Collection of gorgeous old boxes- would make a pretty statement on a dresser.

Some are simple- some are embellished- still working on that project!

 

A collection of bottles- so pretty to set out and surround with votives.  All of these are handmade and lovingly embellished with jewels, so that they sparkle in the candlelight!

 

Take the lid off this one and fill with one gorgeous white amaryllis stem- stunning!!!

 

Everyday something new arrives for our next show!  We have lots of new antiques from our summer trips, so this is a show you don't want to miss.  Again- mark your calendar-  Friday and Saturday, September 13th and 14th.  We promise to inspire you to create a festive fall in your own  home!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer - Pleasant Pass Times

I absolutely adore summer when the temperatures are in the 70's and I can keep all the doors and windows open.  This week has been perfect weather and the next week promises the same.  It's been great to enjoy the "fruits" of summer- the fresh herbs, the farmer's markets, and the flowers in the garden.  One of my most favorite ways to spend a summer day is to cut and arrange flowers from the garden and cook meals with things that I have found at the local farmer's markets. This week I spent a day doing just that!
 I found a new blog called " Localmilkblog.com.  The blog author is a stylist in Chattanooga, Tennessee and she created this wonderful little hand pie recipe.

 

Beth's pies- beautifully shaped and garnished!

 

 

.  It intrigued me, so I got the ingredients together and made them- absolutely divine and so summer!!! White peaches, roses and basil-what's more summerlike than that combination????

While my pies didn't look as beautiful as hers, they were delicious!
Check out the recipe at http://localmilkblog.com/2012/09/white-peach-rose-basil-hand-pies.html

I was getting a little worried as I filled the rounds of dough and tried to crimp them.  I was afraid all the filling would ooze out when they baked. But they didn't.  I only put in 1/2 teaspoon of the rose water and that seemed to be the perfect amount.  It gave an unexpected taste to the pies, but was not overwhelmingly rosy!

 

My  pies- a little more rustic shall we say?

Beth was right-  Thomas Kellers Butter Pastry Crust was wonderful and very easy to make in the food processor.

 

 

The roses in the garden are so much fun to arrange-

 

 

I like to arrange them by color palette and add mint and scented geranium leaves that smell like chocolate mint and lemon.

 

I often use antique glasses as the vases.

 

Can't wait for the farmer's market this week- it's so much fun to explore new food recipes.