La Mia Vita, La Mia Musa

home...

  ohh.. we are home now from a much needed vacation.

Some special family members flew all the way from PA... to join us on our camping trip..gosh, it felt so good to just relax and enjoy life again..{oh yeah... wonderful DH fixed the camera!! }

 We spent a few days at our homestead before heading up to Peninsula State Park in Door County WI...steaks on the grill... sunsets.. catching up since Jan... the special family members are DH's brother and his wife , my fabulous sister-in-heart.. we haven't seen them since my mom-in-heart passed in Jan. and it feels like it was just yesterday..that incredible feeling of 'Famille' ...OHANA..Famiglia

 one of the joys of living in the country is when a special event happens.. or when you just want to let loose and shoot some off!... booyahh! crack bang.. and boy did we!

lots of pics taken, lots of memories.. I'll share more later..one thing that was stylish AND useful.. my Ballard bags.. I loaded these bags down and they didn't even blink!! I mean, they are sturdy and the leather handles are riveted into the stylish burlap.... waaay strong! lots of treks to and from.. loooove 'em! They come in a rainbow of colors and you can design the logo to say just the right thing...

Ahh.. it's good to be home..but I will have such wonderful memories of this wonderful vacation we had... good to be back Bellas!

Ciao!

she sells sea shells...

Well, only one more week and we will finally be leaving for vacation!! wahoo!!

 How was your vacation? Did you go to the Mountains? Did you go by the sea? Was it a family one? Or did you and your honey get to sneek away?

We will be going to Door County again...it was so much fun last time..we will be joined by DH's brother & sister-in-law..sans pets... it will really be a fun time!

I really miss the beach.. I remember all the shells we collected as a family when we used to live in Savannah Ga.. What is your favorite vacation memory?

Thought I'd share some inspiration as to what to do with all those shells you might have collected on your vacations... What do you think about the ladies?? Fun!

{ All photo's courteous of The New French Decor by Lanlade and Trillard}

Ciao Bellas!

whimsical wednesday...

 ..I so enjoy Summer... the lovely blooms everywhere I turn.. well, if I must be sentenced to an office all day.. I have been determined that my spirit won't be sentenced.. just look what I get to see everyday I go to work! Cupcakes!!

  I know some will look and say..they are just planters! But to me..they look like wonderful pink cupcakes! Honestly, they are the only ones in town that look like this..others have different flowers, ornamental grass.. but yay!! I get to pass by these lovely cupcakes everyday..

  My Muse has been silenced because of the on going economy...our family business is in question..but you know, whimsy must not be silenced! I'm such a weirdie.. I think..ahh.. what would these giant cupcakes taste like?..no strawberry for me.. it would be a real scientific breakthrough if they could make..pink chocolate!!!LOL!!

Happy Wed!

summer bounty...and stuff...

 

 There are soo many good things coming out of the garden now! My tomatoes haven't started to turn yet, but I'm sure lots of other's are enjoying scrumptious, mouth watering tomatoes!!

I've pulled out my Summer Notebook by Carolyne Roehm to strum up some ideas on how to enjoy the bounty of the season... here is a recipe for you...or two

Tomato-Dill Soup: You can enjoy this hot or cold... you will need..

  2 tablespoons of olive oil, 3 cups of chopped onions, 5 cups of chopped fresh tomatoes..salt & pepper to taste, 1 teaspoon of ground sage, 1 bay leaf.. One 12 ounce can of tomato puree' , 1/2 cup heavy cream chilled and 3/4 cup chopped fresh dill.....

 1. Add olive oil to a large pan over medium heat and saute' onions until soft and slightly golden, about 7 minutes. 2. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper, sage, bay leaf, and tomato puree' and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. 3. Working in small batches, push mixture through sieve with a rubber spatula into a medium sized bowl; discard solids. Chill puree' in refrigerator. 4. One hour before serving whisk in cream and dill. Continue chilling and serve cold.... hehehe.. as you can tell..this is a rich soup..so small portions are recommended.

  Corn.. We actually have some coming in!! It's been so long since we've had a garden.. ours isn't the prettiest to look at {garden }, but.. all the produce is looking nice and healthy!

Here are some tips! Older varieties of corn need to be soaked longer before cooking ...  the wonderful hybrids are more sweet and tender..how about the speckled yellow & white varieties??! yum.

Don't salt the water..salt in cooking water toughens kernels.. always roast corn with the husks on and silk removed. Soak the husks in cold water for a few minutes to keep them from burning..

Peaches?? OH yeah..I'm there.. I love peaches! Who's with me??!!lol..

Here is a wonderful desert!! ..Poached peaches in White Wine.. you will need... 6 ripe whole peaches, 1 bottle white wine { 750 ml.} 1/2 cup cognac, 1 cup granulated sugar and 4 cups water..

1.  To peel peaches, dip in a large pot o f boiling water for 30 seconds then place in cold water for one minute. Peel skins. 2.  Combine wine, cognac, sugar, and water in a large saucepan: bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add peaches and cook, uncovered, over low heat for 20 minutes, or until peaches are tender. Remove peaches and place in bowl. 3.  Over medium heat, briskly simmer poaching liquid until reduced by half, approximately 30 minutes. Strain liquid into bowl of peaches and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours before serving..

Thanks so much for visitin' !!

Ciao bellas...

{All photos and recipes from Summer Notebook by Carolyne Roehm }

love trains..

We love trains at our house... I think it was such a romantic way to travel!

This past Sat. the boys and I went to the train museum..

We were able to go for a ride... tour actually 'retired' trains..from front to back!

  Would you do it? Would you travel this way again?... I probably would...

  This is a train they call a 'Big Boy' it is HUGE!! #1 stood by the wheels...and it was almost as tall as him...

{ oooh.. pardon my bad hair day! lol}

We are in a vintage Pullman car... it was actually quite cozy..wonderful brass elements.. soft woolen blankets..

 Tickets for the day...$10.00..train ride..$10.00.. enjoying some of Americana history..priceless..

Ciao!!

paper flower fun...

'foof-a-licious' is our new word for these fun paper flowers! Which, by the way are hanging now from the ceiling in the studio...

{taken with my phone..}

now..doesn't that word just describe them?!!! Fun!!

  #1 got into the act... they are addicting.. something about working with the paper and seeing the creation of them...

#2 as well... These make wonderful decorations for birthday parties.. showers.. and like we did... just for fun & inspiration...

Want to add some lovely handmade style to your world.. check them out here.. 

Ciao Bellas!

get ur junque on...

  well..been able to get in the studio...

it's a rough pic..{ had to scan it} but here is my newest collage ' Get your junque on' ... Who's with me??!! uh...hands?..

 I came home today and  who was parked at the end of my driveway...a most  interesting lady..who is a budding artist..and because of the truck that sits at the end of our neighbors driveway... she stopped and wanted to paint it.. her name is 'Deke' and she actually owns a architectural salvage store!!   What say you?? an architectural salvage store here in Wisconsin??!!.. could this be my lucky day??LOl!! but yes.. long story short..her painting is amazing... and I am planning a day trip to Berlin Wi....{That's where her shop is!}

Ciao!

eight hour beauty...

  Are you looking for something that can help your parched Summer lips? Something to help keep them luscious? Look no further...

  Elizabeth Arden is a classic... why not try something that has stood the test of time?... You can check it out here.

I've used it in the past..and I must say... my lips are thankin' me right now for picking up a tube. Don't you love the retro packaging?

Kisses..

a passage for thought...

...³ A bruised reed He will not break,
  And smoking flax He will not quench;
  He will bring forth justice for truth.  ....Isaiah 42:3

 
  Just wanted to share... I wanted everyone to know... you're on overload... you feel like just one more thing is going to send you over the edge... It will be okay.. turn to Him..He can give you rest..

..feel like you are stuck between a rock and a hard place?.. There is someone who knows and cares and can help you through.. nope, it's not a promise to win a million dollars.. to cause the way ward child's heart to turn back home.. to make everything perfect.. but He can give rest to your soul and peace to your heart.. He knows what you are going through.. If you would only trust Him.. He will bring forth justice...

Peace Bellas!

a new bracelet.. from italianpostcards...

Che bella... { I'm sure my Italian is incorrect..still sounds perty though..lol} I received my wonderful bracelets from Italianpostcards..perfect for Summer! How hot is turquoise?..soooo hot!!lol!

 I'm speaking of the looovely turquoise one!! Silver is soo versatile.. spunky.. Chelsea has wonderful taste!!

  { This photo courtesy of Italianpostcards}

These two bracelets come straight from Torino Italy..

  {Photo courtesy of Italianpostcards} Want some more? Go visit! Italianpostcards......Thanks so much Chelsea!! These bracelets are amazing!

What hot Summer finds have you found?