White Wednesday~~Seasons of White Inspiration

White--especially during the hot summer months, provides a visual cooling relief for me. I love the clean look of a simple, neutral room with little pops of color provided by nature. Visit Kathleen at Faded Charm to view other White Wednesday participants. Thanks for stopping by!

Mosaic Monday~~eye candy from Butik Sophie

All images from http://www.butiksophie.dk/ --collage designed by Teresa

Still in love with all things Scandinavian...

I pore over my copy of Jeanne 'd Arc Living and have visited most websites advertised in the magazine. The images for this Monday Mosaic comes from one of my new favorite websites, Butik Sophie--a shop in Copenhagen. Click to enlarge and see the details...hope you fall in love with it too!

Visit Mary at The Little Red House to enjoy more Mosaic Monday fun.

Rainy Sunday

A gloomy holiday weekend is still in effect here...lots of much-needed rain, and cooler temperatures have been appreciated--by me, at least.

I've been trying to motivate myself into doing something productive, but so far this morning it's been useless. Coffee, reading, and listening to the Sunday morning news programs have been the most I've been able to accomplish---and I've enjoyed every moment of it!

Maybe I'll feel more productive later, but I doubt it.

A Happy 4th!

A happy 4th of July to all!

Lunch with Friends...

Today my friends Michelle and Patty are coming over for lunch. I've gone through my recipes and we're having lots of salads. Click on the menu pictured above for an enlargement.

This should be fun! Here are a few of the recipes:

Broccoli Salad

Ingredients:
· 5 cups fresh broccoli florets
· 1/2 cup golden raisins, dried cranberries, or dried cherries
· 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
· 1/2 cup cooked, crumbled bacon
· 1/4 cup of red onion, chopped

· Dressing:
· 1/2 cup mayonnaise (regular or light)
· ½ cup poppy seed dressing
· 1 TBSP apple cider vinegar
Preparation:
Combine broccoli florets, dried fruit, sunflower seeds, crumbled bacon, and chopped onion in a large serving bowl. In a separate bowl or large cup, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar and poppy seed dressing. Add dressing to the salad and toss to mix well; chill thoroughly before serving.Serves 4 to 6.

Corn Bread Salad

Ingredients:

1 box of Jiffy Corn Bread Mix, prepared as directed on box, cooled.
1 small can Mexicali Corn
1/3 cup shredded Colby or Co-Jack cheese
¼ cup finely diced red onion
1 can red OR black beans, drained and rinsed thoroughly
½ cup light mayo
½ cup light sour cream

Preparation:
Combine broken up corn bread, and all other ingredients in a large bowl. Toss together. Mix sour cream and mayo, lightly mix into other ingredients. Refrigerate.

Random thoughts

Time for a little break. I couldn't have asked for better vacation weather...today is just amazing. The outdoor work is finished for the day, and my self-cleaning oven is doing its thing...I usually clean it when it's really cold out; the 'free' heat is welcome when it's chilly outside. It's not so hot out today that it makes this chore unpleasant...and it will be nice to have a clean oven once again.

I've decided to tackle a project I've been neglecting for over five years. I can procrastinate with the best of them...I have 3 huge file boxes of personal papers that my ex-husband left behind. It's time to shred them...I need the space, and I'm tired of seeing them every time I open the closet. Can't imagine that there's anything important in the boxes, but it's just something I haven't wanted to confront. Now is the time...I've pulled the boxes into the living room and I have my heavy-duty shredder pulled up beside my comfy chair. I'm going to pop in a DVD, and start shredding. I must really be in the mood to clean and organize to finally do this...hope I feel a weight off my shoulders...

White Wednesday

I have always been a fan of whites and creams...subtle differences in a single palette. A few weeks ago on a sunny Sunday afternoon I saw this scene in my living room...the sun hit the firebox in my fireplace and lit up the engraving in the box, accented by the many dried hydrangea from last summer...Sonntag Tile & Mantel Co. After a little research, I learned that my fireplace/mantel was manufactured just a few blocks from here. The company advertised in the 1913 Grayville Methodist Cookbook (portions available online), and looking at the ads featured, it kind of takes you back...a time capsule of sorts.

This is my first entry in White Wednesday. Click the button on my sidebar and learn more about White Wednesdays and Faded Charm Cottage.

Monday at Home

I'm usually attracted to bright shiny things, but lately rusty things are getting my attention. Rusty things and burlap...authentic things.

Today is day 4 of my 'vacation.' Swirling possibilities of things to do and accomplish during this time off---maybe some painting (furniture and/or walls), definitely some cupboard cleaning and organization, and some sewing. Soap and jelly making...it's all a possibility. Time off---full of possibilities.

Peaches from Alabama, via Nashville

Peaches---and they actually smell peachy! Can't decide if I want to bake a cobbler, make a small batch of jam, spice them, or make salsa. Leaning towards a cobbler...