Apples and Lemons and Flowers

It’s not exactly what I had intended to do, but it seems I am showing you my tablescape S L O W L Y….in increments---almost like a strip tease in reverse. On Monday I showed you (here) napkin rings and chargers that I had spray painted to give them a little umphh! Today I’m sharing my centerpiece and linking to The Style Sisters for Centerpiece Wednesday.

This is how the whole table got its start…my inspiration as they say in the design world :) Actually, I’m inspired any time I find a good sale, but I have a “thing” for pretty napkins and love these colors! So, the centerpiece took its cue from the colors in the napkin!

This is my very favorite vase. It’s a six inch cube vase. They are available at Walmart, Target, Hobby Lobby, Garden Ridge, etc. Priced around ten dollars, it’s a steal. I call it the little black dress of centerpieces. Its six inch height makes it perfect for dining table centerpieces. You can easily still see over it to have conversation at the table. Today I used green apples and lemons to echo the colors in napkins and anchor the flowers.

A small bunch of alstroemeria from Kroger is always a good choice. They are inexpensive (these were $4.99 plus a dollar off coupon) and come in a variety of colors. I also like to check the sale basket—lots of good flower bargains there! Don’t forget to strip all the leaves from the part of the stem that will be in water. This helps keep the flowers fresher for a longer time. Also, if you’d like to eat the fruit, remove it from the vase when dinner is over. It gets a little water-logged :)

I added a few floating candles in wineglasses of different heights. Candles always make a meal feel more special! Stop by The Style Sisters for inspiring centerpieces. You can find them here!

Thanks for stopping by! Don’t forget to come back on Thursday for a view of the whole table! Please say hello—I’d love to hear from you!~~Susan

DIY Napkin Rings and Chargers

I haven’t joined Metamorphosis Monday in a while for several reasons. First, as you know, I was born without the craft gene :). Secondly, decorating projects at my house are on summer hiatus. However, I couldn’t resist a little spray painting project. Spray paint seems to calm me the way classical music does other people.

Back in the fall, I let a friend bring some items to my house during a neighborhood garage sale. She didn’t sell these old brass chargers even at $1 each. Being the gracious hostess that I am, I offered to give them a new home. HOWEVER, I am over brass for now. Like many of you, I suspect, I have a closet full of Baldwin brass candlesticks (don’t worry, I’m keeping those. They’ll be the hot “new” accessory again one day :) . These chargers, however, had seen better days. They had redeeming qualities however. I loved the shell design on the edges. They deserve a little white spray paint!

Bar Keepers Friend has been my friend for many years. It works wonders on brass and stainless steel without a lot of elbow grease. After a quick cleaning the chargers looked good enough to deserve a home in the dish closet….almost.

While I was mulling over the charger situation, I ran across the these napkin rings in a drawer. They came with a set of inexpensive stainless I bought for one the kid’s college apartments. They lack personality and had been forgotten.

Key lime paint to the rescue! Now these little napkin rings have lots of personality! They need another coat of paint. As soon as the temperature dips below 100, I’ll go back outside and paint them :)

I think these napkin rings and chargers have a whole new life expectancy now! Come back on Thursday for a tablescape debut! I am joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Met Monday. You can join the fun and find wonderful ideas here. And since I finally can boast of a garage sale treasure I am linking to Rhoda at Southern Hospitality. You can find her here!

Thanks for stopping by! Don’t forget to say hello. I’d love to hear from you!~~Susan

Summer Sundays…A Perfect Day

Even when your life is no longer dictated by school schedules, summer seems to take on its on personality. Life is a little more low key….a little more casual.

Because Beloved and I are both “morning” people, we almost always go to the early service at church. I took this picture today of the steeple on the original chapel built in 1851. If you look closely, you’ll see a little bird surveying the grounds. With an actual temperature of 104 expected here today, I’m hoping he flew into that tall shady magnolia.

This is a spring picture from the website. Church history says that the building was spared during the Civil War when the minister offered to house wounded soldiers. Although a large church now stands beside this chapel, it is often the site of small weddings. The inide is beautiful and quaint. Church is over by 9:45 and now we have the whole day ahead of us….which for me includes this

Me, a raft, a book, and a pitcher of iced tea….it’s the only way to survive outside in this heat and humidity. Sometimes it’s just the two of us…sometimes the whole gang descends. Sundays, for me, means family. And it always means food.

Beloved and I have a deal. I negotiated this in the first year of marriage. I cook Monday through Friday. On the weekend, we cook out or go out. It works for us :) I am joining The Tablescaper for Summer Sundays. You can join the fun here!

I’ve missed you this week!!!. My computer needed a tune up and I have been out of commission. Thanks for dropping by. Don’t forget to say hello and have a SUPER SUNDAY!!!

The Art of Gratitude

The Letter

Henri Lerolle

The written word is beautiful….almost seductive. As much as I love the convenience of telephones, emails, and text messages, I miss letters and notes…you know the ones that have a stamp on them. The ones written on paper with a pen. Handwritten letters and notes require planning, thought, care. But they seem to be fast going the way of the dinosaur. As the bridal season is winding down, I am wondering if thank you notes are becoming a lost art. Most of the thank you notes I receive these days resemble this:

Dear Mrs. Rainbow,

Thank you for the lovely gift. It was so nice of you to think of us at this happy time.

Sincerly,

The Bride

Okay, I admit it. I am a stickler for good manners. You may remember a tongue in cheek post I did on RSVPs. But I don’t think a good thank you note requires vast knowledge of Emily Post or Amy Vanderbilt. I don’t even think it requires beautiful engraved or monogrammed stationery (though I love it for myself). Attractive note cards are available in any price range. Emily Post said, “Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others”. I think Someone Else said it first. You remember…Do unto others…..? Here are the guidelines that I think make a good thank you note.

1. Be prompt!!!! Sooner is better than later. Later is better than never. A bride should have all gifts acknowledged within three months max!

2. Make a specific reference to the gift. Remember the giver has spent their thought, time, and money. Tell the giver how you plan to use the gift or why it is special to you. Get creative if you don’t like it.

3. Remember to thank a host or hostess for entertaining you. It may not be absolutely necessary, but you’ll be at the top of the next guest list!

4. Make it personal. Thank the giver for coming to the party or wedding…tell them you enjoyed seeing them at the event….tell them they served your favorite dish. Everyone likes to feel appreciated and special.

5. Make the note longer than two sentences and use your best handwriting skills. Print if penmanship is not your strong suit.

My children like to remind me that they grew up hearing my constant admonition: “We can’t all be pretty, handsome, or smart but we can all have good manners!”. One of our Supreme Court Justices said it best: Good manners will open doors that the best education cannot.

I’ll be linking to Laurie at Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie on Saturday for a A Few of My Favorite Things. A good thank you note is one of my favorite things! Laurie, thank you for hosting and thank you for stopping by :). Don’t forget to say hello!

A Cupcake Challenge and Audition

I must admit—posting cupcakes twice in a row is a unusual even for this cupcake lover. But I have two good reasons. First Hoosier Homemade has thrown down the gauntlet with a fun cupcake challenge on Tuesdays during the month of August. The theme is summertime fun and each week will have a specific challenge. Secondly, since I am hosting a baby shower in the near future, I am “auditioning” recipes.

Let the games begin!

Our first challenge is to create a cupcake with a flavor that screams summer to us. Now, for me, smells evoke memories more than sights or sounds. The minute I smell fresh- cut grass I am once again a barefoot little girl shadowing my father as he does yard work. My feet are covered in damp St. Augustine grass and I am hot as I struggle with a rake in the humid Mississippi heat. But I know that a reward in the form of a treat and air conditioning is right around the corner.

Mom always had pink lemonade waiting in the kitchen for us. Yes, it was just made from frozen concentrate. But it was ice cold and full of pulp. More than that, it was sharing a victory and a job well done. Fresh cut grass and pink lemonade don’t scream summer to me….they whisper in my ear of happy times gone by.

So yesterday I tried my hand at a pink lemonade cupcakes. It would be just perfect for a little princess, princess in waiting, or bride to be. It could be made in pale yellow with regular lemonade for a gender neutral baby shower. Oh yeah, and it makes a fabulous lunch :)

Pink Lemonade Cupcakes

1 (9 oz.) pink lemonade frozen concentrate, thawed and divided

3/8 cup water

1 white cake mix ( your favorite brand)

3 egg whites

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin pans with paper liners. Mix all ingredients with an electric mixer until just blended. Fill muffin cups with about 1/4 cup batter each to insure cupcakes of a uniform size. Bake according to package directions or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool five minutes in pan and remove to finish cooling on wire rack. Frost with Lemonade Buttercream. Garnish with sprinkles if desired.

Lemonade Buttercream Icing

3 cups confectioners’ sugar

1 stick unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

3 tablespoons lemonade concentrate

red or pink food coloring (a little dab will do!)

Blend butter with 1 cup confectioners’ sugar on low to medium speed with electric mixer. Gradually add remaining two cups of sugar and concentrate. Blend well. Mix on medium to high speed until the mixture is fluffy and uniformly pink. Pipe or frost onto cooled cupcakes. Sprinkle with pink sugar crystals if desired.

Pink (or any color) Sugar Sprinkles

Shake 1 cup of sugar with 2 drops of food coloring in a plastic zip bag. Shake well!! Pour onto paper plate and allow to dry 15 minutes before using. Sprinkle with a spoon or shaker onto frosted cupcake. Store leftovers in sealed plastic bag for later use.

Don’t forget to join Hoosier Homemade on Tuesday for the Cupcake Challenge. I can’t wait to see the recipes! You can join the party I am also joining Blessed With Grace for Tempt My Tummy Tuesday. You'll find the party here! I am also linking to Beverly at How Sweet the Sound to share this sweet pinkness! You can join the party here.I am so glad you stopped by!!! Thanks for coming and don’t forget to say hello!

Camp Susu Snacks—Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cupcakes

All this week I’ve been sharing my niece’s visit to my house (Camp Susu :) with you. You can read about it here and here. I promised to post the recipe for the cupcakes pictured in Monday’s post. And I’ve got a little tip to share with you too!

These are filled cupcakes, but they start out like any other cupcake.

Most recipes for filled cupcakes instruct you to squeeze the filling in with the tip on a pastry bag. I have had limited success with this method. It works; it just doesn’t provide room for that full gooey filling I’m looking for. I tried my apple corer and IT WORKS great! Just core the cool cupcake gently. Save the removed cake portion and proceed with the filling. Replace the removed portion when you are ready to frost the cupcake. You may need to cut a little off the edge to make it fit after adding the filling. I got lots more filling into the cupcake using this method.

See? Lots of gooey goodness inside. This is the perfect cupcake for those of us who like chocolate paired with peanut butter!

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cupcakes

Cupcakes

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup sour cream

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

3 large eggs

1 1/4 cups sugar

1/2 cup peanut butter (I used crunchy)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line 24 muffin cups with paper liners. Whisk first four ingredients in a medium bowl until well mixed. In another bowl, whisk milk and sour cream until blended. Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer. Beat in peanut butter until blended. Add eggs, one at a time until incorporated. With the mixer on low speed, add alternately add flour and milk mixture, beginning and ending with flour, until just blended. Spoon 1/4 cup batter in liners. Bake about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pan and place on wire rack to cool completely.

Peanut Butter Filling

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar

3-4 tablespoons of milk

Beat peanut butter and butter with electric mixer until smooth. On low speed, gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar and milk until blended and smooth. Beat on high one minute until fluffy.

Chocolate Frosting

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup sour cream

Melt chocolate chips in a glass bowl in the microwave as the package directs. You can also do this in a double boiler. Add sour cream and beat with electric mixer until fluffy.

*Adapted from Woman’s Day Magazine

Now get a glass of milk and a good book :) I am joining my favorite foodie Michael Lee West at Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday. Click on her button on the sidebar to go straight to the party!

Thanks for stopping by! Don’t forget to say hello! :)

Camp Susu Outdoors—Part II

If you read my previous post, you know that I recently hosted our four year old niece for a five day visit---a visit I planned to keep us both busy and entertained. I am blessed to live in a city with wonderful amenities and venues for both leisure and cultural entertainment. This year we have enjoyed the Botanic Gardens several times.

In April we enjoyed a beautiful sunrise Easter service in the garden. Of course, it is filled with beautiful flora of every description. These hydrangeas photos were taken on a visit in late May. Recently a new addition has opened especially for children. So when my niece came, we headed over to check out My Big Back Yard.

It’s a totally kid-friendly hands on experience with lots of opportunities for fun and learning.

She was pretty impressed with the “giant” ten foot sunflowers! So was I!

We made sure we sure we interspersed the learning with a little down and dirty fun!

Lots of beautiful statuary in the gardens. Some is for playing.

And some is just for looking.

There several kid-size houses with nooks, crannies, and holes to poke heads, elbows, and legs into…easy to get into; not so easy to get out of :)

I hear that it has become the hot new birthday party destination!

It is obvious that lots of planning and care went into this new project.

There are several water features. The best is a “storm” complete with thunder, lightening, and, of course, rain! It was a welcome relief on one of our hot days!

This is part of the “house” section of the garden tour. A place to rest….

And kick off your shoes….

or call it a day and head to the “flower bed” :) . And just in case, you think the Botanic Garden is just for kids….

On Friday night we attended the “Live at the Garden” series.

and saw Al Green…He’s still got it! And I’m glad we’ve got the garden. I think next year I’ll buy a family pass! :) So what’s in your hometown? A place to “staycation”?

I am joining our gracious hostess Susan at A Southern Day Dreamer for Outdoor Wednesday. Click here to join Susan and lots of other outdoor enthusiasts. You won’t be sorry!

Thanks for stopping by! Don’t forget to say hello!