Whats On Your Wall Wednesday

Welcome to Whats on Your Wall Wednesday hosted by Barb at Grits and Glamour http://www.gritsglamour.blogspot.com/ visit Barb's blog to view more wonderful participants walls.

Many of you commented about the plate collection that is displayed on my study wall. I had said that I would feature them on a future Woyww. As promised here they are. These plates are very special to me. The collection is called "Portraits of American Brides" and it depicts brides from different eras. That part isn't really special. These are special because my sister gave them to me when she passed away from her battle with breast cancer almost 17 years ago at the young age of 42. I have always found a place I could display them in each of the three homes we have owned. In our first home I placed them high and out of reach above our large sliding door that took up the back wall of our formal dining room. There they were displayed as pretty much the only decor in that room because we really could not afford much else. I placed them up high because we had three little ones under the age of 5. Their demise would have been certain if not placed out of little hands reach. In our next home I got a bit more brave and displayed them in the formal dining room again but this time above the buffet. Safe and still not conveniently reachable for the hands of youth and discovery.


In our current home I discovered the perfect place to place them the first time I walked through the door. Behind the desk on the large expanse of wall in the study. Their colors are subdued and very study like. This home found these plates or was it that these plates found this home? Either way there is certainly no more of a perfect spot for them. I am not a collector of collectible plates but my sister certainly was. In fact she had several plate collections of various types. I always loved these though. Maybe because when they were released in the mid 80's I was in the young dream like idealism of most girls my age. Dreaming of a perfect wedding. Or maybe it was the civil war era bride that had me completely taken since Gone With The Wind had always been a favorite of mine. Whatever the case my sister knew I loved them and bestowed them upon me.

This plate is entitled Elizabeth and she depicts the 1700's bride. She is my favorite. I love the autumn back ground. I love her period dress.

This one is Rebecca the 1820's Bride.

This one is Caroline the Civil War Bride. She was my favorite for a very long time and I still adore her.

Jacqueline the Victorian ere bride. This one was my sisters favorite.

Meredith the Edwardian Bride. Can't you just imagine her on the Titanic as it sank to the bottom of the ocean?

Emily the Roaring 20's Bride.

Laura the 1940's War Bride. This one reminds me of my parents. They both served in the Marine Corp and went AWAL to be the first Marine Corp couple to ever be married.

Sarah the 1980's Bride. I would recognize those large poufy sleeves anywhere!

This painting is placed in the middle of the plates. It really had no relationship to them what so ever. My daughter picked out this painting when she was very small. It reminds me of her when I look at it and it makes me smile just like my plate collection reminds me of my sister each time I gaze upon them and they make me smile remembering her. Thanks for sharing in my WOYWW. Hope you have enjoyed my wall.

What's For Dinner Tonight?

Barb over at Grits & Glamour http://www.gritsglamour.blogspot.com/ posted this week about starting a What's on My Table Tuesday. Let me start out by saying I am not a cook. That is not to say I can't cook because I have been told many a time I am pretty darn good at it and certainly have the cooking skills like any good Southern Raised girl should. But that doesn't mean I like it! However with a family of five to feed I do have to do it. I thought I would share one of my easy peasy and tasty recipes. Always good on a cold winters day, which we seem to have had plenty of this winter here in North Carolina.



This is my Chunky Chicken Corn Chile. It has some unusual spices for a chile but they give it that oh so yummy taste!

Above are some of the ingredients. Okay note the precooked chicken strips. I admit I cheat a bit here. It makes the recipe go so much quicker and the taste is just as delicious. I should buy stock in these chicken strips. I stock up on them at CostCo. I will share some other yummy things I do with them in recipes in some of my future Whats on My Table Tuesdays.

Every good chile should have some cornbread muffins to accompany it. Mine are the old standard Jiffy brand. I think this may still be one of the least expensive items you can get in the grocery store. A ton of bang for your buck and oh so easy to make.

Now for the recipe. I usually double my recipe to have some left overs for the next day. By doubling it I get a full dutch oven sized pot. I also admit I use less corn than it calls for.

Chunky Chicken Corn Chile

2tsp vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic
1 ½ tbsp chile powder
1 ½ tsp dried oregano
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp cinnamon
Black pepper to taste
1 lb skinless, boneless chicken breast cut into half inch chunks
Two 8 oz cans tomato sauce
Two 16 oz cans pinto beans drained
2 cans while corn drained
2 tbsp sour cream

In nonstick skillet heat oil until hot but not smoking over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook, stirring frequently until onions soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in all spices and cook stirring constantly for 30 seconds.

Add chicken stirring to coat thoroughly. Add tomato sauce and bring to boil over med-high heat. Reduce to simmer, cover and cook until chicken is cooked. 5-10 minutes.
Stir in the beans and corn and cook until heated through. Let cook on low heat for 20 more minutes.

Serve topped with sour cream if desired.


If you are doubling this recipe double all ingredients except corn and beans. Only use 1 more can each of corn and beans (total 3 cans each)

ENJOY!

Valentines Day Celebrating the Loves of My Life

I have many loves in my life. Family and friends. Four of my greatest loves are my hubby and three children. My husband and I have been together for twenty years. I can't even fathom my life with anyone else. How truly blessed I am to have been given him to share my life with. On top of that the blessings of three wonderful children. I am laughing as I type this because one is a teen and do the words blessing, teen and wonderful even belong in the same sentence? If I really want to panic I will think about the fact that in four short months I will have another who is officially a teen! I would not trade a one of them for the world. Every day can be a challenge but in every quiet moment comes the realization of what is truly important and how fortunate one is to be living in love, compassion and kindness every day. Happy Valentines day!

Please Forgive Me....No Themed Thursday Tomorrow

Hello everyone. I am sorry to announce there will be no themed Thursday tomorrow. I have been fighting off something all week (head ache stomach ache) and today it finally just got the better of me. I may be suffering from my first official migraine. Not sure. At any rate I am just not feeling well enough to linger on the computer. I apologize and will just carry the theme of "SHOES" over to next Thursday. Hopefully I can figure out Mr Linky and that way even if I can't be on to orchestrate Mr. Linky can! I am looking forward to next Thursday. Take Care all.

~KD

Details Big or Small or Revamped

Last week on Met Monday I shared my study with you. More specifically I shared the perfect light fixture I had found for it. Since this is me we are talking about the woman whose brain never stops turning, creating and yes agonizing over things I of course had a plan for my favorite chandelier before I ever took it down from the study. Here is its new home. Proudly welcoming everyone as they enter our home. This was the orginal light fixture that came with the home. Pretty standard issue and in my opinion it really did nothing to warm up the entrance and create any drama.

I love my chandelier here. It looks lovely lit at night from the outside as it glows through the transoms above our front doors. I think it is a much better fit!

The lovely leaves and crystals and all the details were lost against the red ceilings of our study and the coffered moldings.

Of course am I ever done? I am already dreaming of how to paint the entrance ceiling. That of course will be another metamorphis.

Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek at my chandelier, To find more wonderful transformations visit Between Naps on The Porch for the complete list of participants.

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

A Little Shopping in High Point

Yesterday I had a "girls day out" with my friend Jill. We had decided to make the hour and a half drive up to High Point. I wanted to visit 1502 Fabrics and she was searching for the perfect pedestal table and chairs for her kitchen. The decision was made we would go to Furniture Land South. For those who have been, I need not say more. For those who have not let me state right now that Furniture Land South is not for those that are faint at heart. It is HUGE. It is confusing and it is more furniture under one roof that anywhere else I know of. Here is the outside where a huge High Boy replica sits on the side of the building. I had been a few times berfore but Jill had not.......

Our shopping had not even started when we decided to fuel ourselves up on Caramel Machiattos and Apple Fritters and Lemon Pound cake. Running shoes on and we were off...........

My first mistake was exiting Starbucks and entering directly into the Habersham section. *SIGH* Did you know they do kitchens? Running shoes screeched to a halt when I spotted this beauty. My dream French Country kitchen. That lovely armoire on the right is the fridge.

What French Country kitchen does not have a chicken wire fronted cabinet to display your treasures. Certainly not this one. Lookey at the vintage inspired appliances. The oven matched this. I did not open these but they were either warming drawers or more likely a second pull out drawer fridge. Just too far to walk over to that Armoire fridge from this corner of the kitchen!

This stunning hood was all hand carved and painted. Simply breathtaking.

Look at this gorgeous provencial farm sink. It almost brought tears to my eyes.

Doesn't everyone have a kitchen table like this? Seating capacity 10-12. Really gorgeous. The rose arrangements .....only $496. each customers price. Regularly $786.

I really wanted this Habersham display cabinet to house my blue transferware collection in. I can't exactly remember but I think it was around $18,000. Of course that was before the FLS discount (average 30% less retail).

This was gorgeous too. Look at the curved glass. You can barley make out the hand painted details. I think this one was only around $11,000.

Two years ago I looked at this day bed for my daughter. It is by Stanley and it is in their Isabella collection. I think it is so pretty. She however did NOT LIKE IT when I wanted to buy it for her. She has a lovely double french country caned and carved bed. As of this morning this bed is all she has talked about SHE WANTS IT. I still love it...............stop stop stop!!!! Isn't it so feminine and soft with the blue toile bedding they show on it?

This was in their clearance center. WOO WEE the colors were shockingly bright but I snapped the picture to remember the cute idea of the monogram on the drawer. I have to admit I was so busy looking that I forgot to take pictures. I am happy that I got the gorgeous kitchen. Hope you enjoyed drooling....I mean looking along with me.

Welcome To Themed Thursday!

Welcome to the second themed Thursday. Our theme today is Furry friends real or Faux. Please visit the following blogs as they share their furry friends.

Cami at Creating Myself: http://creatingmyselfcreatively.blogspot.com/

Nittany Inspirations: http://nittanyinspirations.blogspot.com/

Empty Nester : http://mbkatc230-emptynester.blogspot.com/

Chantilly Charm: http://chantillycharm.blogspot.com/2009/02/themed-thursday-furry-friends.html

Manning Family Tree: http://manningfamilytree.blogspot.com/

Our Little World: http://www.tombobmadsyd.blogspot.com/

Blinks N Winks From Brown Eyes: http://blinksnwinksfrombrown-eyes.blogspot.com/

Alabama Slacker Mama: http://alabamaslackermama.blogspot.com/

Come Join the Fun.........

Here is my zoo. I guess you could say I have a thing for animals. I love to decorate with them. I love the instant bit of whimsy they bring into a room. One of my favorites is the rabbit or bunny. This time of year is deadly for me as it takes everything I have to pass up all the adorable Easter bunnies out there! This is one of my latest finds. Can't you just picture his basket filled with jelly beans or blue bird eggs? My daughter loves to give all our bunnies names. This is Mr. Whiskers

This lamp was one of my favorite finds as well. I have a small waiting list for it if ever I am to part ways with him he will quickly find another home.



Blue bunny. Susan at On My Back Porch had posted one of these little guys on her blog the other day. Good thing I don't live close he would have had a brother in green.


Every once in awhile Target has something you just can't pass by. A couple of Springs ago this weather vane was one of them. He had a fast landing in my cart before anyone could even say blink. He sits on my screened in porch happily enjoying the sun. My porch is stripped down for the winter months but he looks much more at home in the warmer months.






This is Mr Sniffles. My pewter bunny. I snatched him up at the Design mart in High Point.




We also have a couple feathered friends. This distressed wooden green bird came from a cute little store in a local town here. I really liked the green.








This one I found at marshalls for $2. I knew I could find a home for him somewhere!





Everyone needs a horse right? I have had this since before we were married. I could not even tell you where I found him except that it was in the San Francisco area of California. But he has been displayed somewhere in every home we have owned.

Anyone who has been following my blog for any time (well I have only been blogging a month so ....) knows of my love affair with dogs. Here is one I found along the way that I loved.

Meet SAM. Sam started out as a bench beside our front door. After about a year he was having a hard time of it. The kids in the neighborhood just love Sam and would frequently visit our front porch to climb and play on him. Sam required some minor surgery after one such "play date" and after that I thought it might be wise to bring him into a more protected area. Sam serves as a coffee table on our screened porch. When we want more seating during entertaining in our family room I pull our two ottomons that serve as coffee tables aside for seating and bring Sam in to use as a coffee table. He enjoys the extra attention he gets on his special visits indoors. He looks really sharp during Christmas when he sports his big plaid bow around his neck!

No one really needs two book ends right? I picked this handsome guy up at HomeGoods a couple years back for a couple dollars since his mate took off for Vegas with some other hot pup they were letting him go at a low low price!

Here is just one of a set of whimsical dog prints in uniform my family got me for Christmas. I had been admiring them for some time. They bring a smile to my face every time I look at them.

Please stop by next Thursday. Our theme will be SHOES. Every woman loves shoes right? Come share your favorite pair or the pair you drool over but would never buy. Or share the pair that have been with you so long it is simply embarrasing but you just can't part with them no matter how much you tell yourself you will after one more spring, one more winter .......... or how about the pair you can't believe anyone would create or let alone wear! I think this one will be fun and I have to thank Barb over at Grits and Glamour for mentioning it to me. Fun theme Barb!

Hope you had fun !

Ready For Themed Thursday?

Tomorrow is Themed Thursday. The Theme is "Furry Friends Real and Faux. This can be your real furry friends (cats,dogs,horses, hamsters you name it) or your collection of dogs,cats etc. Your favorite Bunny Lamp (yes I have one) etc. Just about anything goes as long as it is an animal of some sort. If you would like to participate tomorrow please reply to this post and share your link so I can share your themed Thursday with everyone tomorrow.

Welcome To My Study

Thanks for joining me on my third met Monday. To see more wonderful transformations please visit Susan at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2009/02/welcome-to-third-metamorphosis-monday.html.Welcome to my study. One of my favorite rooms in my home. It wasn't always this way though.
Like the rest of my spec home it had great bones but was pretty washed out and blah. Here is a peak at it taken from the dining room.

The moldings superb! Loved the coffered ceiling but knew it was not saying anything. Oh and that light fixture would never do!

The first thing I did was paint. Restrained gold on the walls and Summer Pudding on the ceiling. Now those coffered ceilings are singing to my tune. I even placed in there my favorite light fixture. I purchased the lovely library wall unit at Furniture Land South in High Point. I fell in love with it at first sight. It is by Stanley. I loved the warm dark wormed wood. The desk had been brought with me from my last home and was one of those great finds you just can't let go. I think the turned barley legs are stunning. The desk top has an inlaid compass pattern. I also picked up that cute plaid office chair at FLS in High Point in their clearance center for $125. A happy find!

Don't the moldings just pop not against the red? Oh and isn't my light fixture beautiful? But you know when you know although all the elements are wonderful in themselves something isn't right? Well that is how I have lived the past two years with my study. Although I love this chandleier. Love it! It was not being shown to its fullest potential against the dark library case and red ceilings. Plus I had decided it was entirely too small for the room. Oh I really didn't want to admit it! No worries though I had a better plan for that chandelier.

Down came the chandelier and up went my new study light fixture. Ahhh yes now this I am sure is perfect. It transforms the room. The light is better and well doesn't it look like it just belongs there?

It brings a warmth to the room that was some how lacking before. It even made the shutters on the windows look better. It is also able to hold its own against that massive wall library! Thanks goodness. The best part I had found the fixture or at least one just like it for a whopping $380. Did I really want to spend it even though I knew it would be perfect. Well yes I would be crazy enough to do so. However luck would have it! I was browsing Penneys one day and came across this one. The virtual twin of the one I had been drooling over. Wow it was only $129. I dragged my feet. But I kept going back to look. Then suddenly I found it had dropped to $89. Then $69. Lazy me I dragged my feet some more. Well about a month ago I hopped on the site and it had been marked to $59 and I had a $10 off coupon plus free shipping. I was doing the happy dance and knew that I could drag my feet no longer. I ordered it that day. 4 days later it was sitting at my door.

It really looks like it was meant to be in the room and transforms the room. Thanks for visiting my study make over with me today. If something isn't right remember to keep trying. We don't always get it right the first time, second time, third time.......