Cake Boss

Our new favorite show on TLC is Cake Boss. The cakes that Buddy and his family create are simply amazing. Their Italian family is hilarious and I am craving cannoli's right now after watching one of the episodes - once a year they sell cannoli's for 25. each!! If you have not yet watched the show - you must!

Here's an easy recipe that my mom sent my sister and I last week;

Happiness Cake
1 C good thoughts
1 C kind deeds
2 well beaten thoughts
1 C consideration
2 C sacrifice
3 C forgiveness

Mix thoroughly. Add tears of joy, sorrow and sympathy. Flavor with love and kindly service. Fold in 4 cups of prayers and faith. Blend well. Fold into daily life. Bake well with warmth of human kindness and serve with a smile any time. It will satisfy the hunger of starved souls.

Christmas Under the Stars

Tonight I am in Costa Mesa at the Piecemakers Christmas Under the Stars Holiday Show! Please come by for a visit, we are here this evening until 9pm and again tomorrow from 9am-4pm. I have wonderful treasures; glass cloches, burlap pillows, lavender sachets, glittery houses and churches, and oh so much more! If you come by and mention this post you will receive 10% off of your purchase. Happy Holiday Shopping!

End of the Season

We spent the weekend in Fresno at the CIF State Championship race for Cross Country. We had a great time and we are so proud of the boys! The team finished 6th in the state of CA - quite an accomplishment and I know they will be back next year hungry for more. The weather was gorgeous, crisp, cold and the leaves in the park were changing colors. Congratulations THHS Boy's Cross Country - you are awesome, we're so very proud!

"Are you a Shabby Girl?" asked Rachel Ashwell

I had the privelege of meeting Rachel Ashwell last Sunday at Country Roads Antiques in Old Town Orange! She was a delight! Very down to earth as she asked us to gather around while she shared some stories about her latest book Shabby Chic Interiors.

She shared stories about some of the photographs in the book; one photo that was to be the cover in the end was not. It shows her seated with lot's of vintage prom dresses in the background. She said that an hour before the shot was taken she had learned that her business was at a turning point that she had dreaded. She wrote most of the book on her blackberry in a small basement flat in London. It sounds a bit romanic but I think she was truly going through such a horrible time in her life - she said she just wanted to be underground.

She was so pleasant and friendly and I have such a respect for her now after listening to her tell a bit of her story. Sue of Country Roads and her family put on a wonderful event. The food was catered by Paris in a Cup. Such a yummy treat that we decided to head over there for lunch; sinful baked potato soup and tea sandwiches were my choice - absolutely delicous!

Relationship Crossroads

Why must relationships be so hard? No matter what happens they are. Whether it is a relationship with parents, friends, co-workers, a spouse or child - sometimes they are just very painful. I have to honestly say that I am at a crossroads with a few relationships that are very dear to me and it's very hurtful, you can either close your eyes, take a deep breath and move on or hold a grudge. Unfortunately I have a tendency to hold a grudge.I've done a lot of soul searching lately and I have realized that I am certainly half of the problem but I have also done a lot of re-evaluation of some relationships and I just don't know how much effort I want to continue to put into some of them. As I roll into my mid forties I'm trying to be a much more forgiving person but I also don't want to be taken advantage of. I want to surround myself with people that bring me joy and share the same interests as me and are passionate about the things that they are involved in. Life is just too short you know? I want to be spontaneous and enjoy every moment! Don't get me wrong...I definitely have many wonderful dear friends and a husband that I adore and my boys are the greatest gift - just thinking about this more lately because some of my relationships are definitely at a crossroads...

Repeated frustrations and disappointments are always a reflection of repeated misunderstandings and presumptions.

New Shop Arrivals

I've been busy today getting items listed on my Etsy Shop This set of Haviland Limoges dishes are just dreamy aren't they? So delicate and shabby chic, perfect for a special birthday or shower luncheon or even just a Sunday afternoon tea with friends!

I recently found a few of these folding yardsticks - they are fun and can be formed into many shapes; stars, crowns...

I kept some of these rooster juice glasses for myself but I want to share some with a lucky shopper too.

This old shabby black kitchen scale is available in the shop too, please note that many of my items include free shipping in the U.S. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Not a care in the world

The thing that's totally different between children and adults is that children have the ability to spontaneously use their imagination to forget what's bothering them and be inspired by every pony, feather, or bug that crosses their path. I really want to be like this more often!